New Milford Church Leader Stole Donations: Police

NEW MILFORD, NJ — The youth director of a Glen Rock church was arrested Sunday after he allegedly stole nearly $600 in donations from the church.

Church officials went to police headquarters Sunday afternoon with surveillance footage of a man, later identified as Sean M. Massaro, 24, of New Milford, stealing donation envelopes from the church's Sunday collection, said Chief Dean Ackermann.

Massaro, who used to live in Glen Rock, began working for the church part time in September, police said.

The church suspected that money was being taken since the beginning of the year when one collection had no cash donations at all, which was very unusual, Ackermann said.

Church officials installed a camera in the office where donations are kept and reviewed footage taken Sunday that identified Massaro as a suspect, the chief said. Over the course of five weeks, $582 in cash was stolen.

Police confronted Massaro, who admitted to stealing the money, Ackermann said.

Massaro was processed and released on his own recognizance pending an appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court Feb. 23, Ackermann said.

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