Man arrested for thefts from area churches

Radnor Township Police have arrested a Collegeville man in connection with the theft of money from collection bins at area churches.

Arrested was Lorenzo Muniz, 35, of Collegeville, on charges of institutional vandalism at places of worship.

According to police, beginning in late January, authorities began receiving theft reports from a Wayne church. Surveillance video captured a man entering the vestibule, removing money from the collection bins and then leaving the area.

Several collection bins were destroyed during the process, police said.

Utilizing real-time surveillance cameras and officers in an undercover capacity, Muniz returned to the church on the afternoon of Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. He was taken into custody without incident. At the time of his arrest, Muniz was in possession of multiple prying tools used

to enter the boxes.

During an interview with Investigators, Muniz admitted to committing thefts at several area churches as well.

“This is an unfortunate example of desperate times calling for desperate measures” said Superintendent of Police Christopher B. Flanagan. “Houses of worship should be a place of reflection and solitude; not a location for

committing crimes.”

Flanagan said authorities spent many hours of investigation and surveillance conducted by the Detective Unit and information sharing with neighboring police departments.

Muniz is charged with institutional vandalism: place of worship, theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief, possession of an instrument of crime and drug violations.

He was arraigned via video and remanded to George Hill Correctional Facility.

Lorenzo Muniz