Public being asked for help in finding stolen church items

Jack Keating, The Province
Published: Friday, September 12, 2008

Police and church leaders are asking for the public's help in finding cherished religious articles stolen from a Greek Orthodox church in Surrey.

"Certainly, breaking into a place of worship leaves one scratching your head," said Surrey RCMP Sgt. Roger Morrow yesterday of a break-in at the church that saw at least $18,000 worth of articles stolen.

The theft occurred between the late afternoon of Sept. 5 and the morning of Sept. 7.

Although police have made an arrest and charged a suspect in the case and some of the stolen property was recovered, the majority of the religious articles remain unrecovered.

Police made the arrest during an investigation of an unrelated break-and-enter at a private residence.
Items still not recovered in the break-in at the church, located at 84th Avenue and 160th Street, include:

- Brass/copper baptismal font;
- Silver chalice set;
- Nickel-plated chalice;
- Gold-coloured chalice set;
- Gold-coloured processional cross;
- Two processional fans;
- Gold-coloured oil-lamp holders;
- Nickel-plated blessing cross;
- Consecrated oil holders;
- Communion box;
- Gold-coloured mini pitcher.

"I would hope that because they're so identifiable we'll be successful in getting them back," said Morrow.

Conrad Ferguson, 39, of Surrey is charged with two counts of break-and-enter and two counts of possession of stolen property -- one over $5,000 and one under $5,000.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers.

jkeating@theprovince.com