Police hunt down Grinch robbers after Christmas baskets for the needy stolen from Palmerston North Cathedral

Police are hunting down robbers like Grinch who took more than $ 1,000 worth of Christmas baskets from a church cathedral.

The thieves attacked a food bank at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, or St. Patrick’s Church, on Broadfield Ave in Palmerston North.

Up to $ 1,100 worth of groceries and special gifts donated by the public were pulled from a small room for Christmas baskets for those in need.

A freezer was also emptied of all the meat that was destined for distribution.

“We are devastated,” Parish Administrator Steph Grantham told the Herald.

“We are devastated for our parishioners and the Catholic community who have donated … and especially for those who need help most.

“Many will be lost now,” he said.

The food bank is run by St Vincent de Paul.

Among the stolen items are more than a dozen Christmas baskets prepared by students at St James Catholic School and who delivered the colorful packages last week after the school organized a walk to help bring in donations.

Speakers used by the Cailin School of Irish Traditional Dance, which stores its sound system in the church, were also stolen.

Grantham said they believed the robbery occurred sometime between 10 p.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. yesterday.

The disaster was only discovered around 9:30 a.m. after someone who was there for morning mass noticed it.

She said it appeared that the thieves used a chair, placed on a table and propped against the divider in the wall, to remove the grilles near the ceiling and enter the locked room.

The door was found smashed.

They had already started distributing baskets to the families in the community who needed them most.

But more people tended to ask for help as Christmas approached, Grantham said.

“People don’t just need food. Sometimes we get requests for diapers and gas vouchers.

“We only get the necessary elements [for each family] and distribute it. “

Sergeant Major Darren Paki said they were calling for anyone who saw something suspicious in the area between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning to come forward.

“Donation theft means less to these families in what is already a difficult time of year,” he said.

“We would like to hear from anyone who has seen something or has information about those involved.”

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