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Stealing From Church?!?! A local chapel pleads for the return of a cross stolen right off the altar

By  ANNE REYNOLDS

Updated 2:35 PM EDT, Wed, Dec 3, 2008

AP

The cross was discovered stolen Tuesday morning, hours before it was scheduled to be dedicated.

 

Family and friends of a local woman who devoted her life to volunteer work say they are shocked and disheartened to learn an altar cross that was scheduled to be dedicated in her memory was stolen.

The brass cross was taken from the chapel at the Washington Hospital Center, where Patricia Perna had been a member of the Women's Auxiliary before her death.

The cross disappeared before Tuesday morning's scheduled dedication ceremony.

"(The Reverend) went in this morning to get the cross and it was gone," said Perna's sister-in-law, Ruth.  "He called me.  I couldn't believe it.  The family's devastated.  The Women's auxiliary ... we're all devastated."

Hospital officials are asking for the public's help in getting the cross back.  They're offering the thieves the chance to return the stolen cross, no questions asked.

Anyone with information about the stolen cross should call the Captain of Protective Services at Washington Hospital Center at (202) 877-6188.

Comments (11)

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  • Jonathan Thursday, Dec 4 at 1:36 PM FLAG COMMENT It's a real shame. Someone would steal a cross, any cross for that matter. I don't care how hard the times get, but to steal something from god is a sin that can never be forgiven. I think the person that took this should be made an example of. Don't give them a free ticket to return it. They knew what they were doing and did it. Besides, they already sold it for the money and thats it. You now need to look at replacing it. Th ... MORE >
  • UNBELIEVABLE Thursday, Dec 4 at 11:50 AM FLAG COMMENT It's brass. Police should put out an APB to all scrap yards. That's where it will turn up. Hispanics are known to frequent scrap yards with stolen metal. From copper to aluminum. Beer cans etc...those maggots will take anything that isn't bolted down.
  • Christine Wednesday, Dec 3 at 10:25 PM FLAG COMMENT Amen to comment from 2:30pm that was my great aunt and i believe it's a big deal!!!!
  • Washington DC Wednesday, Dec 3 at 4:46 PM FLAG COMMENT Stuff that is precious is stolen every day in Washington DC and yet not every one gets own story line about his/her loss. Just a brass cross which unlike the life of the elderly woman burnt alive and killed by three illegal immigrants is easily replacable.
  • Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 3 at 2:30 PM FLAG COMMENT Anonymous 39 minutes ago FLAG COMMENT Just some ignorant thief who stole something that didn't belong to him... YAAWWWWNN!!! YAAAAWWWWNNN That cross was to be dedicated to my Grandmother there is nothing boring about that. Now get a life!!!

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