St. Helen Catholic Church in the 2200 block of Old Alvin had been collecting new, unwrapped toys to give away at Christmas. Parishioners had been leaving the toys at the designated collection site inside the narthex of the church and had collected two large bags of toys with a total estimated value of $600.
Police say on Sunday, just before 11am, three suspects, all of whom appeared to be juveniles, were captured on video picking up the bags of toys and walking out of the church. The suspects had also been seen panhandling outside the church. After taking the toys, the suspects got into a gold Chrysler minivan and left the scene.
Pearland police say a similar theft had reportedly occurred at Mary Queen Catholic Church in Friendswood.
The first subject is described as a juvenile white female wearing black pants and a black shirt. According to police, she appeared to be approximately 5'4" to 5'6" and was walking and talking with a white male juvenile who was wearing blue jeans and a white polo shirt with tan and blue horizontal stripes.
A second juvenile female, who appeared to be approximately 8 to 10 years old and wearing white pants and a pink shirt, was observed to remove a second bag filled with toys. The Chrysler minivan had tinted windows, aluminum wheels and no front license plate.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pearland Police Department at 281-997-4100.
