Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department are on the lookout for a suspect involved in the theft of a valuable metal cross from St. Camillus Center for Spiritual Care in Boyle Heights. The reported incident, captured on video, took place on April 17 and was later posted to Instagram by LAPD's Hollenbeck Division. The center, located on Zonal Avenue, became the unexpected scene of the crime shortly after its Holy Thursday Service had concluded.
The ABC7 coverage of the incident included the shared footage, depicting an individual nonchalantly entering the chapel, swiftly taking the cross from the pulpit, and exiting. The item, of considerable religious significance, is still missing, and the authorities have turned to the public for assistance in the case. As noted by KTLA, the value of the stolen cross is estimated in the "five digits," prompting a significant effort to recover it.
While there has been a description of the suspect as a Black or Hispanic male, the police have not disclosed further identifying details. The chapel was empty at the time of the incident, which has allowed the crime to occur unhindered and has complicated the investigation process. Anyone with information about the man or the whereabouts of the cross is encouraged to reach out, as urged by authorities.
As part of their ongoing investigation, LAPD Investigator K. Hanna is spearheading efforts to gather leads. The public can contact Investigator Hanna at [email protected] or by calling (323) 224-0108. According to CBS News Los Angeles, local law enforcement is relying on community help to locate the suspect and the stolen object. Both the church community and law enforcement are keen on its return and hold out hope that someone will come forward with valuable information.
