Near North church burglarized for 2nd time in a Week
By Carlos Sadovi
Tribune reporter
13/11/2011
For the second time in a week, burglars broke into a Greek Orthodox church on the Near North side and made off with cash and other items including a crucifix, church officials and police said.
The latest burglary was discovered at about 6 a.m. early today by a janitor at the Annunciation Cathedral Greek Orthodox Church, 1017 North LaSalle Dr., said James Apostolides, the church’s treasurer.
The church was first robbed last week between Sunday evening and Monday morning when the burglar or burglars busted out a small stained glass window on a side window to get into the church, said Apostolides.
In today’s robbery, the janitor noticed that someone had pried off wood that had been placed over the hole on the door, said Apostolides.
“They used the same route this time, they went through the same window, we had not had a chance to replace the window yet,” said Apostolides. “They were able to come through that, they just knocked out the wood and came into the church.”
He said officials have not had a chance to fully assess the financial implications of what was stolen from the church during both instances. He said that they have received a $3,500 estimate to replace the stained glass window alone. A church official said the window was an original Tiffany window put in when the building was constructed in the 1920s.
Today’s burglars used a crowbar to break through two locks into a collection box containing offerings that had been made to the church from a christening mass and wedding on Saturday, said Apostolides.
“Whatever offerings were there, they took all of that,” said Apostolides.
He said that last week, the burglars stole a boom-box that they use for church festivals, tools and several other items including a crucifix. There were no other religious items taken, he said. They also broke through several locks in the church looking for more valuables.
A church official said the crucifix was a “blessing cross” which was not made from a precious metal and not worth much money.
“They could have done a lot more because once they got in here they could stay as long as they wanted,” Apostolides said. “Of course we are going to update our burglar alarm.”
Police said they are investigating but do not have anyone in custody.
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