Suffern Man With Long Rap Sheet Stole Gold Eucharist Container, Police Say

Police say a Hudson Valley man with over 20 prior arrests stole a valuable religious item from a local church.

Suffern Police arrested 53-year-old Walter Hand of Suffern on charges of burglary, larceny, criminal trespass and criminal possession of stolen property.

According to Suffern Police, Hand walked into Sacred Heart Church, walked up to the alter, and removed a religious item known as a Lunette, a gold container which is used to hold the Eucharist in Catholic Church.

Surveillance video shows Hand place the item under his jacket and walk out with it, officials say. The video helped police to identify Hand as the alleged suspect. He was soon found and arrested. The gold Lunette was recovered and returned to Sacred Heart.

A further investigation determined that Hand has over 20 prior arrests and two prior felony convictions. He was remanded to Rockland County Jail without bail. He’s due in court on Thursday.