According to reports from 20 July 2026, Italian police have arrested a man and woman who broke down the door and smashed a window before removing 11 crucifixes from the building among other devotional items from the parish.
Reported on 20 July 2026, a church in the San Cristoforo district of Catania was targeted for major theft of sacred objects and valuables. According to the Catania police, a man and woman broke into the church breaking down the door and smashing a window before removing 11 crucifixes from the building among other devotional items from the parish.
Surveillance cameras installed by the parish priest assisted police in the subsequent arrest of the pair where they recovered the stolen objects, amounting to €6,500 in stolen property, including cash. An accomplice was also identified on security footage but has eluded arrest.
The theft seemed to target religious symbols from the place of worship, including the crucifixes, votive candles, rosaries, picture frames and altar item.