Man Cut Open, Robbed Collection Box At Park Slope Church: Diocese

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — A man was caught on surveillance video cutting open and robbing a Park Slope church's collection box last week, church officials said.

The man waited inside St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church on Ninth Street, appearing to be praying, on Friday afternoon before dragging the wooden collection box toward his seat and cutting it open, according to The Diocese of Brooklyn and video.

"It is now evident he was waiting to be alone in the church to commit the robbery," the Diocese wrote.

The suspect took an unknown amount of money from the collection box before leaving the church.

A Franciscan nun discovered the robbery when sanitizing the church pews around 4 p.m. on Friday, officials said.

The NYPD, who were notified about the robbery, said Monday that there have been no arrests yet. They are investigating the incident, a spokesperson said.

The administrator of the Ninth Street church said he was saddened by the robbery and grateful nobody was injured.

"I understand in these unprecedented times, many people have lost their jobs and need assistance, but this not how you turn to the church for help," Father Willy Kingsley Ndi said. "My message to those in need is to ring our doorbell, don’t vandalize and steal, and let us help you."

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the NYPD’s 78th Precinct at (718) 636-6411 or NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-8477.