VIDEO: 80-year-old man robbed of $4K in church offerings in California

LOS ANGELES, CA -- An 80-year-old parishioner carrying $4,100 in weekly offerings was robbed outside of a church in California.

The parishioner was at the parking lot of the Church of the Assumption in Boyle Heights on Tuesday, Jan. 12, carrying a canvas bag filled with cash, coins and checks collected for the week from the congregation.

As the victim was approaching the trunk of his car, a man ran up and grabbed the bag. The parishioner did not immediately let go of the bag, causing him to be dragged to the pavement by the suspect.

The victim eventually let go of the bag, and the suspect jumped into the passenger seat of an awaiting late-model black sedan. The car sped away.

The victim was treated for his injuries at the scene by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Surveillance footage from the church shows the suspect loitering in the church parking lot for approximately 45 minutes prior to the robbery.

The driver of the getaway car was spotted acting as a lookout from the opposite side of the parking lot.

The first suspect is described as a Hispanic man with a thin build, wearing a black hat, dark jacket and light colored pants. A description was not available for the driver of the getaway car.

The money is collected during Sunday mass and during the week in donation receptacles. Much of the donations go to help feed and clothe the poor in the area, according to church officials.

"...I mean, this is the house of everybody, this is the house of the Lord...It's just really hurtful to all of the community," said Michelle Pacheco of Boyle Heights.

If you have any information about this robbery, you're urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department by calling (877) LAPD-24-7. You can provide anonymous tips by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.