Heartbreaking Crime: Father Helps Police Arrest Son for Stealing Gold-Plated Rose from NYC Church’s 9/11 Memorial!
A thief accused of stealing a gold-plated rose from a 9/11 memorial at a Catholic church in Midtown Manhattan has been arrested, the NYPD confirmed.
The suspect, 21-year-old Deikel Alcantara, was turned in by his father and is now facing charges of grand larceny.
The stolen rose, valued at $3,000, was crafted using metal from Ground Zero and plated in gold. It had been displayed at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi on West 31st Street, a tribute to the lives lost during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including the church’s former pastor and FDNY Chaplain, Rev. Mychal Judge.
Rev. Brian Jordan, the current pastor, expressed his deep disappointment and referred to the theft as an act of desecration.
The rose was part of a sacred memorial that holds immense significance to the church and its community. “This was not only a robbery, as far as I’m concerned, it’s an act of desecration,” Jordan told reporters earlier this week.
Despite Alcantara’s arrest, the whereabouts of the gold-plated rose remain unknown. Police sources revealed that the item had not been recovered as of Friday, leaving the church and its parishioners hopeful for its return.
Before his arrest, Alcantara had been seen in the area on multiple occasions, according to Rev. Jordan. “We’ve seen him several times – he’s like a lone ranger, lone wolf,” he said.
Jordan added that had the suspect reached out for help, the church would have supported him. “Had he asked for help, I would help him… He just shied away from any type of contact.”
Jordan also expressed compassion for the suspect, stating that he did not wish for Alcantara to suffer behind bars.
The crime, however, has left a lasting impact on the church community, as they wait for the cherished memorial rose to be returned to its rightful place.
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