Burglar ransacks South Brunswick church, steals collection during Christmas week

South Brunswick police officers are investigating a Christmas week burglary at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church after a thief ransacked several rooms and stole the church’s weekly collection.

The break-in at the church, located at 10 Kingston Lane in Monmouth Junction, was discovered around 7 a.m. Monday when parishioners arrived for morning Mass, police said.

A burglar climbed through ceiling tiles, smashed sheetrock, and pried open closets and drawers inside the church. Police said the intruder stole the collection money from the past week.

Chief Raymond Hayducka condemned the burglary and asked the public to help find whoever is responsible.

“This is Christmas week, a special time filled with so much excitement. The acts of this suspect are disgraceful. We will use all resources to track this suspect down,” Hayducka said.

South Brunswick detectives, working with the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, said they are following several leads.

Investigators are asking residents in the area of the church along Kingston Lane and Georges Road to review any home surveillance video systems they may have between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22.

Residents can submit videos to detectives at this link:
https://sbtnj.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/stcecelia

Anyone with additional information regarding the church burglary should contact South Brunswick Police Detective Sgt. Tim Hoover, Detective Matthew Hagood or Detective Jamal Benbow at 732-329-4646.