Police are looking for a Latina woman, depicted here in this police sketch, in her 30s, about 5-foot to 5-foot-3-inches tall with dark, wavy hair. They say she is a person of interest relative to the theft of a centuries-old relic that was stolen from St. Anthony Catholic Church Monday, June 13.
6:01am | Long Beach Police said Monday that they are searching for the woman depicted in the above sketch after she acted suspiciously just a day before a centuries-old religious relic was stolen from St. Anthony Catholic Church.
The church reported the relic missing Monday morning, according to the Los Angeles Times. It had been on display in a cabinet at the church in honor of the church’s namesake saint. Church officials estimated the relic to be approximately 700 to 800 years old.
It was stolen on the anniversary of St. Anthony’s death 780 years ago, officials with the Los Angeles Archdiocese reportedly said.
The relic is housed in a 16-inch gold and silver reliquary with figures of angels on each side. Both the reliquary and the relic were taken, police said, and they are not certain whether the thief is aware that the relic was inside the reliquary or if the thief knew of its value and symbolism.
Church officials reportedly said the church received the relic as a gift from the Vatacan 110 years ago upon the founding of the church.
Police are looking for a heavy-set Latina in her 30s, about 5-foot to 5-foot-3-inches tall with dark, wavy hair. They said she was acting suspiciously inside the church the day the relic went missing from the display cabinet.
She reportedly sat through all five of the church’s Sunday masses, according to the Press-Telegram.
Father Jose Magana reportedly did not recognize her, but said that she sat in the front during each service and would walk around between services.
Church officials said it was the first time the relic had been displayed in eight years. In 2002, it was reportedly displayed to celebrate the church’s 100th anniversary.
Police would not describe what the relic looks like, saying its description is key to their probe. The object was said to be one that was important to St. Anthony when he was alive.
St. Anthony happens to be the patron saint of lost or missing things.
Anyone with information about the theft is urged to contact the Long Beach Police Department at (562) 570-5590. Anonymous tips can be left by visiting LongBeach.gov/police.