Cops: Church donation boxes broken into, money stolen

A video camera caught a man robbing six donation boxes at St. Joseph's Church in Ronkonkoma on June 14, Suffolk County police said. The video shows a man in a baseball cap, wearing light-colored shorts and a dark T-shirt, breaking into one of the boxes on the wall. Police said the man broke into six boxes and took money from them. Credit: SCPD

By Joan Grallajoan.gralla@newsday.com JoanGrallaJune 26, 2019

An all-seeing video camera caught a man robbing six poor boxes at a Ronkonkoma church.

The donations were stolen from St. Joseph's Church on June 14 at about 5:15 p.m., Suffolk police said.

The video, which can be seen on YouTube.com/scpdtv, shows a man in a baseball cap, wearing light-colored shorts and a dark T-shirt, breaking into one of the boxes on the wall. Police said the man broke into six donations boxes and took money from them.

There is a $5,000 cash award for information leading to an arrest, police said.

To submit an anonymous tip, call 800-220-TIPS, text “SCPD” and your message to “CRIMES” (274637) or email ww.tipsubmit.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

By Joan Gralla and Ted Phillips

joan.gralla@newsday.com JoanGralla

Joan Gralla is a general assignment reporter who also covers parks, flood control and Holocaust restitution. She's a former Reuters correspondent who covered politics, economics and markets.

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