DOWNEY - An undisclosed amount of money was stolen from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church after two male suspects broke into a church worker's car last month, authorities said."The man was quite surprised when it happened - he was on his way to the bank," said Detective Paul Koppes, who is overseeing the case. According to the police report, the worker was in the car preparing to leave the church on July 6 around 11:40 a.m. when a Hispanic male, around the age of 40, broke a back window and took the church funds, which were sitting on the back seat. The second suspect, a Hispanic male between the ages of 30-40, drove both suspects away in an unknown year, tan sedan with paper license plates. "We just want to alert the public and churches in the area to be on the lookout," said Koppes. "During these tough times, churches might want to find more formidable ways to transport their funds." Our Lady of Perpetual Help declined to comment. -Christian Brown

********** Published: August 7, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 16