In what the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) called a “brazen burglary,” one or more unidentified suspect(s) broke into the St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, located at the corner of Folsom and Cesar Chavez streets, on the night of Sept. 14-15. The exact time of the burglary is unknown because there are no cameras on the property, but police believe it may have occurred between the hours of 10:30 p.m. on Monday to 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
The church janitor discovered a chain used to secure the rear door of the building had been cut and strewn on the floor on Tuesday morning, and notified the police of the break-in. The tabernacle inside of the church was damaged, and some items inside of it were missing. Among the stolen items were two 12-inch tall gold chalices and one 10-inch tall silver chalice, as well as a gold cross embedded with part of a bone of St. Anthony, according to the police report.
Rosario Haro, office manager at the church, also said that the burglar(s) broke into a closet where equipment for the choir is kept–the closet door was damaged and a bass guitar was also missing.
“It’s upsetting and its sad, especially that they took the relics,” said Haro, who said that this is the first time that the church experienced a burglary. “They are irreplaceable.”
The SFPD is asking for the public’s help in locating the historic Catholic relics.
Anyone with information on this burglary or the whereabouts of the relics are asked to contact SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text-a-tip at TIP411 with SFPD at the start of the message.
Two Separate Robberies on Capp Street
Police also report that two males in their 20s robbed a 44-year-old man on Tuesday afternoon. The incident took place at 1:35 pm at the intersection of 25th and Capp streets. As the victim was walking, he was approached by the two suspects, who quickly pushed him against the wall of a building. One of the suspects then pulled out a folding knife and forced the victim to hand over his wallet. The suspects retrieved the victim’s ID, ATM card and wallet before fleeing in an unknown direction — the victim was able to get away unharmed.
Two blocks over, on 23rd and Capp streets, two unidentified males confronted and robbed a 19-year-old man using a handgun at approximately 11:47 p.m. on Tuesday. The suspects approached the man and pressed the gun against his chest before demanding his smartphone, wallet and jacket. After taking the man’s belongings, the suspects fled on foot down 23rd street, heading towards Mission street.
Crime is trauma and the county offers different services. Here is a link to a page of services.
Victims of violent crime can also contact the Trauma Recovery Center at UCSF.