Church Larceny Suspect Arrested in North End

At about 10:15 AM on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, officers from District A1 (Downtown) arrested Richard Shiner, 47, suspected of removing money from church candle boxes, where parishioners leave donations. The Boston Municipal Court issued a warrant for his arrest on Thursday, December 27, 2012 for Larceny Over $250.

The warrant for Shiner’s arrest was sought after an investigation into complaints involving missing money from the church donation box. Officers responded to a call at St. Leonard’s Church at 14 Bennett Street. While watching video surveillance from a security camera, the witness noticed a white male with a thin build and of average height walking back and forth along the aisle of the church.

The witness entered the church, where he observed Shiner standing in front of a wooden candle box, sticking a white wooden stick through the money slot, removing cash bills, and placing them in his pocket. Upon seeing the witness, Shiner fled the scene on foot with a large canvas bag and shouting, “Please do not call the police.”

The witness also informed officers of video surveillance recorded over the last couple of weeks that shows Shiner in the church. Shiner is believed to have removed an estimated seventeen envelopes from another candle box. The total amount of money missing remains undetermined at this time.

BPD News requested the public’s help in apprehending him this past December (see this post).

Shiner is charged with Larceny Over $250. He will be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.