Crime & Safety
Man Tries To Steal From His Church, Takes Wallet Instead: Police
BREAKING: After he found the collection box empty, police say he stole a parishioner's wallet instead.
A man from Inwood was arrested last week after police say he stole a wallet from a person at his church.
According to police, Ernesto Rodriguez, 52, a parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, located at 68 Wanser Ave. in Inwood, attempted to steal money from the offering box on July 13. Police say Rodriguez realized the box was empty and then went to the basement, where he allegedly stole a wallet from a parishioner's unattended shopping bag. The wallet contained cash and two credit cards. The victim, a 66-year-old man, was cleaning up after morning service.
After investigating, police arrested Rodriguez without incident.
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Rodriguez is charged with two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and petty larceny. He was arraigned on Saturday in First District Court in Hempstead.
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