On Oct. 28, a thief broke into the Saint Catherine parish in Pustelnki during evening Mass, stealing donation money, trays, and other valuables.
Incident Details
At 19:20 on 28 October, armed with a tool to bypass doors, the suspect entered the parish’s sacristy during an ongoing Mass in Pustelnki, within Mińsk County. Police began investigative and operational actions to identify the perpetrator(s).
Items Stolen
The thief seized cash from last month’s offertory, a month’s worth of catechism fees, recent funeral payments, several serving trays, and funds collected for missions and for the renovation of a nearby chapel in Wólka Wybraniecka.
Church Statement
The parish said, “With a heavy heart, I must report that an armed robbery occurred after the evening Mass. The thieves emptied the sacristy of cash, donations, and other items. Police are at the scene; investigation continues. I thank parishioners who were present and offered support.”
Police and Investigation
Law enforcement is working on‑site and in the surrounding area to uncover the details of the event and identify those responsible. The investigation is supervised by officers from Mińsk County. Witnesses who were in the parish area on that day are urged to contact the relevant police unit.
Prior Damage to Chapel
Only a few days before, an unknown assailant had damaged a chapel in Wólka Wybraniecka, the same location where some of the stolen money had been earmarked for renovation work.
