Police in Belevo detained a suspect in connection with the theft of jewelry from a local temple, according to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Tula region. The rector of the Belevsky church later told investigators that an unidentified person had entered the church building and removed jewelry, leaving a documented loss of 20 thousand rubles. Security footage was reviewed, and investigators traced the intruder’s movements from the church doors to the sanctuary floor. Based on the footage and eyewitness statements, authorities identified a suspect—a 50-year-old resident of Podolsk in the Moscow region, with a prior conviction. He was detained and placed under investigation for theft, later released on his own recognizance as the case continues to unfold.
Following the first report, the rector’s account was complemented by more details from the police work, highlighting how a parish church can be vulnerable even during ordinary days. The Belevsky church is a community hub where people come to pray and give offerings, which makes such thefts feel personal to residents. The offender allegedly entered quietly, bypassing a few simple security measures and opening donation boxes that safeguarded parishioners’ contributions. The stolen items included jewelry of ceremonial value and personal devotion, which magnified the sense of loss. Investigators are cross-checking inventory records, verifying donation receipts, and interviewing volunteers who might have observed suspicious behavior in the days around the incident. While the suspect’s identity has been established through CCTV, detectives are exploring possible links to other thefts in neighboring regions in order to build a broader picture of risk and to inform prevention measures for churches and temples citywide.
Police confirmed that CCTV footage was instrumental in identifying the thief and linking him to the crime. The 50-year-old Podolsk resident had a prior record and was questioned by investigators before being released on his own recognizance as the inquiry proceeded. The case illustrates the challenging balance courts must strike between safeguarding individual rights and ensuring the safety of sacred spaces. Investigators are conducting a thorough review of all security footage, collecting forensics from any recovered items, and checking inventory logs against church records. Officials noted the importance of cooperation among local authorities, church leadership, and residents to strengthen response times and deter future offenses at religious sites.
Meanwhile, in Maykop, law enforcement officers detained a person suspected of stealing donations from a temple. The suspect was a 61-year-old Krasnodar region resident, described as a Krasnodar visitor, who allegedly opened two donation boxes, removed cash, and vanished. The total damage was reported at 11 thousand rubles. Investigators are examining nearby surveillance video, donor sign-in sheets, and witness accounts to determine whether others may have helped or witnessed the theft. Officials stressed that crimes against places of worship erode community trust and urged communities to support improved protection—better lighting, more cameras, and volunteer patrols working in partnership with police to reduce risk of repetition.
Earlier, in the Rostov region, two men robbed the Don Cathedral, prompting authorities to consider tighter security at prominent religious sites. The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of safeguarding donations, artifacts, and sacred spaces while preserving the openness that characterizes places of worship. Investigators are gathering additional CCTV footage from adjacent streets and public facilities, coordinating with regional prosecutors to determine if the Rostov incident is connected to other thefts or part of a wider pattern. Parishioners were reminded to report suspicious activity and to keep valuables secured. Officials stressed that protecting sacred spaces requires a community effort, and that the investigation will continue until all responsible individuals are identified and appropriate charges filed.