West Chester and Miamisburg police departments are trying to identify a man, who detectives say is responsible for stealing donations from a pair of local mosques on the same morning.
Crime Stoppers released photos of the suspect on Wednesday.
According to Miamisburg Detective Jason Threlkeld, the suspect participated in the 6:45 a.m. service at the Dayton Mercy Society/Islamic Center in Miamisburg on Sunday, Feb. 10, before stealing two donation boxes with an estimated $1,500 in each box.
According to Threlkeld, the suspect left the service halfway in and unlocked a door that led outside. He then returned to the service and left the mosque, but returned at 8:03 a.m. to steal the donation boxes.
Later that morning, at 9:38 a.m., the same suspect driving the same maroon Chevy Silverado (make 2005 to 2010), was seen stealing from the donation box at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati in West Chester.
This time, the suspect didn’t take the donation box. Instead, video surveillance shows that he used what appeared to be a metal hanger “to fish out the money,” according to West Chester Sgt. John Kleinfeldt.
It is not known how much money was taken from the West Chester mosque.
Furthermore, the suspect is thought to have stolen from a vehicle in Blue Ash this month. According to Kleinfeldt, credit cards were among the items that were stolen.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040. All calls are anonymous and callers may be eligible for a cash reward.
People can also contact the West Chester Police Department, 9577 Beckett Road Suite 500, by calling 513-777-2231 or 513-759-7266; or contact the Miamisburg Police Department dispatch at 937-225-HELP or by calling Detective Threlkeld at 937-847-6620.
