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Pastor issues warning after Victoria church robbed

A Victoria pastor is warning of a tall, thin man dressed in black who feigns an interest in Christianity just to steal the collection plate. Rev. Gunther Sandl, of Good Shepherd Lutheran, 2815 Cedar Hill Rd.
Good Shepherd Lutheran - photo
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Cedar Hill Road.

A Victoria pastor is warning of a tall, thin man dressed in black who feigns an interest in Christianity just to steal the collection plate.

Rev. Gunther Sandl, of Good Shepherd Lutheran, 2815 Cedar Hill Rd., said his church was robbed Sunday shortly after the service ended at 10:30 a.m.

The robber walked quickly to the altar, where that morning’s collection envelopes, full of cash and cheques, were sitting uncounted. He scooped them up and headed straight for the back entrance.

“To steal from a church like that, it’s really sad,” Sandl said.

He said the man first appeared at Good Shepherd Lutheran about a month ago, asking questions and taking part in services.

But Sandl thinks he was just “scouting out the place to see where the emergency exits are and where the money is kept.”

He worries the man might do the same to other churches.

The man is described as white, with dark hair, about six-foot-one and a slim build. Sandl said he was always dressed entirely in black.

Victoria police said they are investigating.