Stealing St. Anthony: Religious Statue Theft Wave Hits Nutley

NUTLEY, NJ — When something is stolen, some people pray to Saint Anthony, the patron saint of lost items. But who do you pray to when St. Anthony goes missing?

On Monday, Nutley police asked for the public’s help solving a series of religious statue thefts that have been plaguing local homeowners. The thefts have been taking place over the past several months, and anyone with information is asked to contact police headquarters.

According to the Nutley Police Department, some recent thefts have included:

• Aug. 9 – Cross Street - Headquarters dispatched personnel to a home where the residents stated that their religious statue depicting the “Madonna” was stolen from the front of the house. It was described as being between two and three feet tall with an approximate value of $300. The victims were advised to contact police headquarters if they notice anything else missing.
• July 14 – Race Street - Police took a report that a 50-pound religious statue was stolen from the front of a Race Street residence, valued at close to $200.
• April 11 - Chase Street - Officers responded to take a report of a theft regarding a statue of St. Anthony taken from the resident’s front lawn. The estimated value of the statue is approximately $100. The victim was advised of their right to sign a complaint with the Nutley Municipal Court.
• April 5 – Franklin Avenue - A three-foot statue of the Virgin Mary was taken from the front lawn of the property. The statue’s estimated worth is approximately $60.

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