Thousands stolen from New York church on Christmas Day

POCANTICO HILLS, N.Y. -- Call him a Scrooge or a major Grinch, but any way you slice it, a Christmas Day criminal is now wanted for stealing $20,000 from a Westchester County church.

Instead of mass Tuesday morning, there was a different kind of activity at the Church of the Magdalene in Pocantico Hills.

An upgrade to security is in order. The church will now install surveillance cameras and purchase a fortified safe.

On Christmas Day, a thief stole thousands of dollars in donations.

It happened during a mass Christmas morning.

While parishioners were worshipping inside, someone broke in through a rear door and pried open a cabinet that held the collections taken up during two masses on Christmas Eve.

The exact amount is unknown but the pastor of the Roman Catholic Church says it is likely in the neighborhood of $20,000.

Christmas collections are easily the biggest of the year and can account for 20% of the parish's annual operating budget.

While police investigate, steps are being taken to prevent something like this from happening again.

"The world's a changed place. I hope they catch the couple of knuckleheads, they deserve to be prosecuted," said Patrick Hickey, a security consultant.

The church's pastor declined to comment on camera, but says he feels sad for the suspect, who instead of celebrating the holiday with loves ones, was out stealing.

As for parishioners, most of the donations were checks, which can be cancelled and re-issued.