Teens Suspected After Festival Prizes Stolen From Church

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- St. Rosalia Parish in Greenfield is getting ready to kick off its annual church festival Thursday.

But now the parish is out $1,000 after someone or a group of people got inside the old school building and stole prizes donated by parishioners.

"In talking with the police we discovered they came through one of the windows," Pastor Joe Reschick said.

Reschick says someone was able to lift up the window and get inside last night.

It's part of the old school building.

He says all fingers are pointing to teenagers.

"This is probably not the first time they used that room to maybe party or gather in," Reschick said.

About $800 worth of gift cards were taken, $100 worth in lottery scratch-offs and $100 in alcohol also vanished.

These items were going to be used for prizes at the annual St. Rosalia Church Festival which kicks off Thursday.

Festival organizers noticed the missing items this morning.

"A lot of people made effort to donate items. They took money out of their pockets to donate room us. They put a lot of time and effort into setting up donations. It's disheartening," festival organizer Pam Lupinacci said.

"We struggle a lot to keep our school open. We're the only Catholic school on this side of Pittsburgh," Reschick said.

But everyone is trying to remain positive despite all the negativity.

"It'd be nice if they returned it and moved past it, but it's not me they're gonna answer to," Lupinacci said.

"I have no problem if they come forward to return things. We'll sit down and talk with them about what caused them to do this in their life," Reschick said. "With God's help and each other, that's how faith works".

Pastor Reschick and festival organizers say some of the parishioners that donated these prizes have reached out to donate again.

Reschick says he got the latch on the window fixed so no one can break into in the future.

The festival runs Thursday to Saturday.

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