Crime & Safety

Cops: Man Who Stole from 13 Church Poor Boxes Found in Massapequa

William Hepworth was found in a Hicksville Road parking lot, cops said.

A man who burglarized 13 churches across Nassau County was found in a Massapequa parking lot Tuesday, police said.

William Hepworth, 48, broke into four poor boxes at St. Anne’s Church at 3:25 p.m. Friday, according to Nassau County Police.

Detectives from Garden City, Malverne Village, and Nassau’s Second, Third, Fourth, and Seventh Precincts investigated and found Hepworth had stolen from 12 other churches within their areas, cops said. Hepworth made off with cash and, at one point, a public announcement system, police said.

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Police confirmed Hepworth stole from Holy Name of Jesus Convent in Woodbury, Our Lady of Mercy in Hicksville, St. Ignatius Loyola in Hicksville, and Holy Family Church in Hicksville. Other locations have not yet been confirmed.

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Hepworth was found Tuesday evening in a parking lot on Hicksville Road in Massapequa, cops said. He had cutting pliers, a pry bar, and a screwdriver on him at the time, police said.

Hepworth was charged with 13 counts of third-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. He will be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Photo: William Hepworth. Credit: NCPD

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