At around 7 a.m. on December 22nd, three days before Christmas, the 111 year old Saint Cecilia Roman Catholic Church in Monmouth Junction, was burglurized. Due to recent renovations have been made and security cameras have not been placed throughout the facility, with police not having details about the fugitives. Citizens have recognized this church as it shares turf with Crossroads South Middle School, yet no commotion was detected from anyone there. The aftermath has been investigated by police, and they have collected as much information and evidence as possible from the scene.
While exploring the church, Lt. Michael Pellino noticed several parts of ceilings ripped open, along with smashed walls and drawers pried open robbed of collections made and money raised. After thorough investigation, officers concluded that a door was unknowingly unlocked and the thief(s) entered through the roof, leading to offices, causing them to destroy the walls and reach the money. He also mentioned,“These drawers were all out … Just pried [it] open with a pry tool, and they made entry, and they gathered whatever collections were left in there,” (Schuettier, NYPOST). A trail of debris made from the ruins of sectional ceiling parts was left as the burglars ventured to the safe, where $8000 was stolen.
Since the beginning of the winter, parishioners have been keeping the funded money stowed in a closet where the safe was placed, however the burglar(s) pried it open and stole the entirety of what was inside. Lieutenant Michael Pellino said,“They stole thousands in cash, ransacked multiple rooms in the church looking for it and, eventually, when they came to the room where it was, they broke into a closet where it was and into a safe, and they took the proceeds,”( Sloan, CBS NEWS). This money was originally meant for families and orphans in need to be able to provide them with food and gifts for Christmas.
Pierre Hageboutros, who is extremely close with the parishioners from the church, along with being the owner of “Pierres Deli”, a highly popular spot in town, said, “I kindly ask whoever did something like this, he should go back to his conscience and come back and talk to the priest, if he needs help, he should not do something like this, especially on this beautiful holiday, and especially not in this town ,”( Sloan, CBS NEWS).
This church has just faced a significant issue, yet our police and town members are willing to do whatever it takes to give them justice. If you have any information on the incident, please notify South Brunswick Police Detective Sergeant Tim Hoover, Detective Matthew Hagood, or Detective Jamal Benbow at 732-329-4646.
