Homeless Man Stole Religious Relics, $20K In Brooklyn Spree: Cops

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK -- The homeless man who stole religious relics from a Brooklyn yeshiva and $20,000 from local businesses was arrested Tuesday, police said.

Charles Cajigas, 50, stands accused of breaking into an Orthodox Jewish school and three Borough Park businesses during a two-week crime spree that began in late September, police said.

Cajigas first broke into the Rabbinical College Yeshiva Of Machzikai Hadas at 1350 39 St. where he stole two religious relics at about 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 25, police said.

Hours later, Cajigas crept inside JDN Marketing on 46th Street and 12th Avenue, where he stole $10,000 in cash, a cellphone and a hard drive, according to police.

Cajigas struck next on Oct. 6 when he stole another $10,000 in cash from a business at 3905 15th Ave., police said.

The crime spree ended at about 4:20 a.m. on Oct. 8 when Cajigas allegedly broke into a locker room inside 4811 13th Ave. and ransacked the lockers, police said.

Cajigas arrested Tuesday and charged with burglary, criminal possession of stolen property and criminal trespass, according to police.

Photo courtesy of the NYPD