Metal thieves target Woonsocket church

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) – Police are investigating a case of scrap metal theft, after railings were ripped from the stairs of the Saint Charles Church.

On Saturday morning, Father Gerald Finnegan said he realized a thief had taken advantage of the North Main Street catholic church, which has been in operation since the mid 1800’s

“All of a sudden the railings were gone! They have probably been there for 150 years or so, and they’re bronze we think, so that’s why they were taken,” said Father Finnegan.

This is not the first time that criminals have targeted this parish.

“We had incident two or three years ago, with break-ins and also copper gutters, but we’ve been okay for two or three years. I guess our luck ran out,” said Father Finnegan.