A solid gold relic with precious stones was stolen from St. Augustine’s Church in New York City

A gold relic worth an estimated $2 million has been stolen from St. Augustine’s Church in New York City, the Metropolitan Police Department said. The department is asking for the public’s help in gathering information about the burglary.

Police received a report that the altar at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, 116 Sixth Avenue, was broken into between May 26 and May 28. A tabernacle of pure 18-karat gold with precious stones was seized. In addition, the intruders damaged a statue of an angel: it was beheaded.

Three suspects were detained in Dresden in November 2020 for the robbery of the treasury of the Saxon kings “Green Vault”, which took place in November 2019.

The thieves then took at least three priceless 18th-century jewelry headsets.

German detective Josef Resch, who is investigating the case, said the kidnappers received no more than €40,000 for their work.