Man allegedly breaks into church’s ‘poor box’ during holiday season

Authorities said Tuesday that a priest caught a man breaking into a Philadelphia church’s “poor box” just days before Christmas.

The suspect, who was caught on surveillance video, allegedly broke into Our Mother Consolation Church on the afternoon of Dec. 20 and burglarized the donation container, a key source of support for the community, especially during the holiday season.

Authorities said the suspect fled the scene after seeing the priest enter the worship area.

The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) shared the video in a post detailing how the priest caught the suspect breaking into and robbing the church.

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Our Mother of Consolation Church in Philadelphia was reportedly burglarized on December 20, 2025, just days before Christmas. (Philadelphia Police Department)

“The complainant (resident priest of Our Mother of Consolation Church) stated that he was in his room on the second floor above the church when he heard a loud noise at the entrance of the church,” police said.

“When he came downstairs, he observed an unknown black male breaking into the ‘poor box’ in the main worship area of ​​the church.”

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Police are searching for a suspect responsible for burglarizing a commercial church in Philadelphia. (Philadelphia Police Department)

After noticing the priest, the suspect ran away and was last seen heading north on Germantown Avenue, police said.

PPD told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the collection box was empty at the time of the incident and nothing was taken.

A suspect allegedly tried to break into the “poor box” of a church. (Philadelphia Police Department)

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The suspect was described as a bald, black man wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and white sneakers.

The PPD Northwest Detective Division is attempting to identify the individual responsible for the commercial church burglary. Authorities urged residents not to approach the suspect if they see him and to contact 911 immediately.