Armed robbers stormed the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church on Thursday night and held up five women who were taking part in a prayer service. The church has been the site of three robberies in as many weeks.
Sources said the armed robbers entered the church from the western end of the building around 8 p.m. and demanded to know where the church money was. When the women responded that they did not know, the suspects took jewelry from the women before emptying their purses.
No injuries were reported but a parishioner who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Friday that one of the women was "roughed up when the robbers ripped a gold chain and crucifix pendant from her neck."
The two suspects fled on foot. In prior incidents at the church, an organist was robbed of money while rehearsing for Christmas services and a man was held up while watering ornamental plants around an outside shrine on the church grounds. In that incident, the man's wallet was taken.
Police have not commented publicly on the incident but will likely appeal to the community for assistance. Anyone with information should contact detectives at 774-4050, the emergency number 911 or the confidential Crime Line at 777-8711.
