Gold-Plated 9/11 Memorial Rose Stolen in NYC Church Robbery!
A lone thief walked into a Catholic church in Midtown Manhattan and committed a shocking theft on Wednesday, stealing a $3,000 gold-plated rose from a 9/11 memorial shrine.
The rose, forged from steel salvaged from Ground Zero, held deep symbolic meaning for the parishioners and visitors of the Church of St. Francis of Assisi on West 31st Street.
The theft took place around 2:30 p.m., according to authorities. Reverend Brian Jordan, the church’s pastor, called the act not only a robbery but an “act of desecration.”
The rose was a key part of the church’s memorial, which honors those who lost their lives during the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Reverend Jordan emphasized that the rose symbolized hope and resilience against evil, representing the triumph of good over destruction.
The memorial also pays tribute to Reverend Mychal Judge, who was the church’s pastor and the FDNY chaplain at the time of 9/11, as well as Carol LaPlante, a church volunteer and artwork designer who also perished in the attacks.
Parishioners and visitors viewed the rose as a beacon of hope and healing. Its theft has shocked and saddened many.
The NYPD has released video footage of the suspect casually walking down the street holding the stolen rose. The man, described as about 21 years old, remains at large as of Thursday evening.
Reverend Jordan shared that the suspect had been seen at the church before and had been asked to leave by security on two occasions. He described the man as a “lone ranger” who appeared troubled and avoided personal contact.
Despite the act, Reverend Jordan expressed compassion for the thief, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation rather than punishment.
He hopes the suspect will turn himself in and receive psychiatric care instead of facing jail time. Jordan highlighted the importance of giving the young man a chance to straighten out his life, calling for society to offer him the support he needs to recover and reform.
To restore the shrine’s sanctity, Reverend Jordan blessed the memorial with holy water on Thursday afternoon, calling it a symbolic act of purification.
He also used the incident as a reminder of the city’s need to address mental health issues more seriously, urging for better resources and support for individuals in need.
He criticized the revolving door of incarceration at places like Rikers Island and advocated for a system that prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment.
Reverend Jordan concluded with a message of hope, saying he believes in the “God of perpetual second chances.”
He called on the city to invest in people like the suspect, offering them opportunities to turn their lives around instead of being lost in a cycle of crime and incarceration.
The NYPD has urged anyone with information about the suspect to call their Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish assistance.
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