Long Island Church Recovers Stolen Statue, Police Search For Thief
FREEPORT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The prayers of parishioners at a Long Island Catholic church have been answered now that their beloved statue has been recovered.
As CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported, a statue of St. Joseph was stolen over the weekend from Our Holy Redeemer in Freeport. Two other religious icons were moved or vandalized at the vast church property.
Surveillance cameras were running and caught images that led investigators to the valuable statue.
"Thanks to be God they were able to recover it, and right now, I think it is being cleaned up and ready to be put back in place," said Pastor Douglas Arcoleo.
One surveillance image released by police shows a man sitting on a bench near a statue. Police say they are searching for Victor Wilson from the Freeport community as a person of interest in the case.
The theft and criminal mischief has stirred emotion at Our Holy Redeemer.
"It breaks my heart," said parishioner Joseph Santino, crying.
"It's devastating to have something like that torn apart," said worshiper Marjie Campiz. "It's taken from the community."
Added Deacon Cristobal Sanchez: "You do feel violated. You feel like your house has been broken and somebody has come in and taken something. But we are glad and grateful that it was recovered."
Our Holy Redeemer says it plans to unveil and rededicate the recovered St. Joseph statue during Mass on Sunday.
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