General News
7 September, 2022
Thieves target St James church
CALLOUS thieves have targeted St James Anglican Church hall in Mortlake, stealing items worth hundreds of dollars.
CALLOUS thieves have targeted St James Anglican Church hall in Mortlake, stealing items worth hundreds of dollars.
A full external gas bottle and attached fittings were stolen from the rear entrance to the church on Hyland Street, and the donation area had also been rummaged through with additional items potentially having been stolen.
The incident occurred overnight on Friday, August 26 and was first noticed by a member of the church the following morning.
St James Anglican Church secretary Sandra Richies said the act was “the lowest of lows”.
“We’re a church, we don’t need things being taken from us,”she said.
“One-hundred-and-sixty dollars later – we lose out and the business (Golsworthy and Sons Home Timber and Hardware) loses out. We can understand if people can’t afford to pay it but just come to the church and maybe we could have helped.
“It’s just ridiculous.
“There are people out there who will just take anything, they don’t care who they hurt.”
Ms Richies said the theft was heartbreaking as church members aspire to help those who have fallen on hard times.
“We’re part of the Anglicare trailer, and once a month we provide food for anybody in need,” she said.
“We’ve got so much non-perishable foods, blankets and beanies, all sorts of things we provide to the community.”
Those needing help are encouraged to contact Sandra Richies on 0431 378 647 to make arrangements.
The church has security cameras but the computer linked to the system had not been turned onto record.
Anyone who noticed suspicious activity at the church overnight on Friday, August 26 or who has CCTV or dash cam footage from the night is invited to contact Mortlake police station on 5599 2501, call CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
