Coppell police say they have identified one of three people they believe stole money from a church, and they need the public's help identifying the others. [[364250651,C]]
Police said 59-year-old Jorge Ingoica Puig, another man and a woman stole cash from Saint Ann Catholic Parish in the 100 block of Samuel Boulevard.
Puig was described as approximately five-feet, seven -inches tall and 200 pounds. He was believed to be driving a black 2006 four-door Chrysler 300 Limited with Texas license plates CLC7946. The vehicle has a chrome package, sun roof and is missing at least one center cap on the front passenger side tire, police said.
"It is pretty bad," said Coppell Police Officer Peter Dirks. "These criminals look for opportunities. They saw this one, and in my opinion, it's pretty bad."
There is surveillance video of the trio walking through the sanctuary on Dec. 31 moments before they move off-camera and allegedly steal about $150 from a candle box—it's money that worshippers gave as they lit candles and offered personal prayers.
"We're trying to use that money for the right reasons, for our mission in the Gospel, so it's certainly unfortunate that these men are targeting local churches," said Father Kevin Wilwert.
Church leaders said the crooks broke into the parish offices on Christmas Eve, rummaging through office paperwork and mail, but they didn't get cash.
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A week later, on New Year's Eve, they were back and broke into the candle room, police said.
"It's a church. And it's the holiday season, so you get more people coming in and I think that's exactly what they were thinking, you get more people coming in and to try and steal when there's an opportunity for more money," Dirks said.
Saint Ann leaders say this is a heartbreaking crime – a theft not just of money, but of spirit as well, since the crooks targeted the money people left after they made personal prayers for the new year.
"It's certainly heartbreaking to have people targeting the generosity of others, and the prayers of others," Wilwert said.
Officers said three other churches have had recent "involvement" with these three individuals, but can't prove anything was stolen. And at another church, officials asked them to leave because they were caught walking around restricted areas.
"We have other information reports saying, 'Hey, we saw them walking around and asked them to leave or come to the service,'" Dirks said.
"They weren't there to pray, but they were trying to get into private areas and case the churches," Dirks added. "So we urge people who recognize them to help us out. We want to stop them from hurting other people."
Saint Ann officials said the crooks left in two different cars. One was a black Chrysler 300 series with a sunroof, and the other is a white Chrysler without a sunroof.
Wilwert said he will be praying for justice, and something else.
"That the Lord would move in their hearts to grow in Honesty, and that the Lord will grow within them," he said.
Police asked anyone with information about the incidents contact Detective Hayes at 972-304-3604 or shayes@coppelltx.gov.
NBC 5's Jeff Smith and Holley Ford contributed to this report.
