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Church declines charges in thefts from donation box

  • Posted by The Burbs (Sponsor: North End Motor Sales) December 9, 2024 - Filed in News - #West Boylston  #West Boylston Police Department  #Dennis Minnich  #Our Lady of Good Counsel  #St. Vincent de Paul Society  - 8,293 views

    WEST BOYLSTON — An investigation into thefts from a donation box at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church has ended without criminal charges, the West Boylston Police Department announced Sunday.

    Police Chief Dennis W. Minnich Sr. confirmed that the suspect, whose identity was shared with church officials, will not face prosecution after church leaders, including Father LaBaire and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, opted not to pursue legal action.

    The investigation began in late November after church officials reported repeated thefts of large sums of money from the candle box used for charitable donations. Surveillance footage provided by the church led to a swift community response, with multiple residents helping police identify the suspect as an employee of the church and the College of the Holy Cross.

    “Our community always comes together to assist with these bad situations,” Minnich said in a statement Sunday, thanking residents for their assistance in identifying the suspect.

    The police department said the matter is now in the church's hands to address internally.

    The initial theft report, posted on the department's Facebook page on November 27th and since deleted, sparked significant public interest. Police were inundated with tips. A follow-up statement by Minnich on December 2nd, also now deleted, confirmed the church’s cooperation in the investigation.

    While the case is closed, it remains unclear how the church plans to address the theft internally.

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