Thieves rip off solar lights from toto church roof

Burglars targeted a Central Guam church, ripping off the solar lights from the roof of the building.  Parishioners noticed the theft after Good Friday. Those lights are meant to provide solace for those seeking safety throughout the night. As a result, the village's pastor is making a plea to the public.

A day after Easter on Monday, volunteers with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church noticed something was amiss. "We just realized this morning that five of our solar lights are actually missing," explained Father Val Rodriguez. "So we believe it's stolen."

Thieves made away with five solar lights attached to the roof of the building, each worth nearly $100. Father Val, the Toto church's parochial administrator, told KUAM News that those fixtures are meant to offer solace throughout the night. 

"Of course, we would like to make sure it's safe when our parishioners come and it won’t be dark and everything is lit. And thirdly, practical purposes on our side. We don’t need to switch on and off. Sometimes I'm not here so it automatically switches on and off also," he said.

Rodriguez said he suspects thieves used a ladder or climbed the church to get to the lights sometime after Good Friday. Luckily, the church has no less than twelve security cameras. 

He's hoping at least one captured the theft.

"We have CCTV cameras," he said. "We have to review them. I'm sure because the way they are positioned, some of them will be captured by the cameras." Church staff are filing a police report and looking through the footage.

Meanwhile, the priest is he's asking for the community’s help. "In case there are people who witnessed how they were stolen, maybe you can help us. It’s not really about the items. I think we should work as a community to work together for our community," Father Val said.

The reverend leaving this message for the thief.  "You know, we do these things for the safety of our community. I know life is difficult but i don’t think that enough of a reason for us to be stealing things," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Guam Police Department or report it to Guam Crime Stoppers.