Victoria police are investigating after several historical artifacts were reported stolen from Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday night.
An alarm call alerted police to a break and enter just before 10 p.m. Officers arrived at the church and were met by one of the church representatives, who said the building had been empty at the the time of the break-in.
Patrol officers and K9 searched the building, but did not find any suspects.
A display case inside the church had been broken into and several items dating back to the 17th century were missing, police say. They include a gold chalice, silver chalice, antique Canadian coins, a small communion plate and a mote spoon.
Forensic Identification Services analyzed the scene and are working on a report, but police could not comment on their findings Sunday.
Cst. Mike Russel said that church robberies are not uncommon, but the theft of historic artifacts is.
“We have seen break-ins to churches before — we actually in fact arrested a guy a couple of weeks ago who was doing it, but he was after collection and coins — but never this sort of relic thing,” Russell said.
Officers are asking the public to be on the lookout for the stolen items, in hopes that they may be returned to the church.
If you have any information, please call Victoria police at 250-995-7654 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers, 1-800-222-8477.
