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Shelby Twp. Church Hit By Easter Sunday Thieves

SHELBY TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - As much as $50,000 in cash and chalices is missing from St. Therese Catholic Church in Shelby Township.

Church manager Linda Maccarone told WWJ Newsradio 950 someone broke into their safe following five Easter Sunday masses -- sometime after 9 p.m.

"It was cut out; the lock was cut out. So, it was either some type of blowtorch, or whatever they used to break  in -- some kind of drill ... because it's a metal door," Maccarone said.

Maccarone said Easter is the second-biggest time of year for church attendance and donations, behind Christmas.

"It was obvious that they were after the money, because there's obviously other things here that they could have taken that wasn't taken," she said.

The church is insured for the losses.

Maccarone is hoping pawn shops and other places will keep an eye out for any golden chalices trading hands.

St. Lawrence Catholic Church in nearby Utica was broken into in February.

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