Financial Crime News 06/18/2023

(June 15) Priest Stole $100K From Church, Spent It On Tools, Wine, Video Games, DA Says | Belchertown, MA

A former Massachusetts priest is facing multiple charges in connection with the theft of more than $100,000 in church funds which he used to buy power tools, a riding mower, food, wine, car accessories, video games and clothing.

Tomasz J. Gorney, 43, of Amherst, is charged with larceny over $1,200 and is scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown, according to the Northwestern District Attorney's Office. He is accused of stealing the funds from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Granby, where he served as a priest, over a period of three years.

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(June 15) Surveillance Video Catches Thieves Stealing Pride Flags From Katy Church | Katy, TX

A church in Katy proudly displays Pride flags to celebrate the LGBTQ community and their right to equality.

“It’s a sign and symbol of love and hope,” says First Christian Church Reverend Heather Tolleson. "It's about celebrating who you are and an opportunity where everybody can be exactly who they are at all times.”

But on Wednesday, she said church security cameras caught someone stealing the flags. And not just one -- but seven of them.

"It was broad daylight," Tolleson said,

Video surveillance appears to show someone drive up in a black truck, walk toward the flags and then walk back with them before taking off.

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(June 15) Church Vans Hit In String Of Catalytic Converter Thefts; Officials Seek Information | Polk County, NC

Over the past few months, Polk County has experienced an increase in catalytic converter larcenies.

The most recent reported incident occurred on June 4 at Midway Baptist Church in Columbus.

Detectives say two church vans parked at the church had their catalytic converters stolen.

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(June 14) Church Financial Director Charged With Stealing $340K To Pay For Adult Toys, Vacations | Colorado Springs, CO

A former financial director of a Colorado church has been charged with stealing over $340,000 from the church to purchase several items for personal use, such as adult sex toys.

According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, Sara Ann Mock-Butler turned herself into El Paso County Jail on May 31 to answer for charges related to her time as financial director of Pikes Peak Christian Church (PPCC) in Colorado Springs.

Deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office received a report on Oct. 24, 2022, that Mock-Butler committed fraud and theft during her time as the church's financial director.

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(June 14) Thieves Hit Ocean City Church | Ocean City, MD

Ocean City police are looking for thieves who stole a statue from a church in town.

On Tuesday morning, parishioners at the Holy Savior Church on Philadelphia Avenue near 18th Street found a three-foot tall statue of the Virgin Mary missing from their Rosary Garden.

"It's a violation. You feel violated. It was stolen from a place of peace, and it's just horrible," said Donna Santoni, parish secretary.

In recent weeks, two businesses have been the victim of theft - one of a dinosaur head from a mini golf course, and another a statue of Peppa Pig from a candy store.

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