Sacrilege: Man accused of stealing from Bartica church jailed for nine months

Mario Singh, the 37-year-old construction worker who admitted to stealing a quantity of valuables from the Good News Fellowship Full Gospel Church in Bartica, was on Tuesday sentenced to nine months in jail.

Singh reportedly broke into the church over the weekend.

Among the items stolen were four cases of Malta valued at $20,000, three cases of Thrill soft drink valued at $7,800, and one music box valued at $150,000. Singh appeared before Magistrate Teriq Mohamed at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Police Headquarters in a statement said 60-year-old Andrew Persaud, the church pastor, related that he secured the premises around 20:00hrs Saturday and went to his house.

Upon his return on Sunday morning, the pastor discovered the church door open.

Checks in the church revealed that the items were missing.

CCTV footage was reviewed and Police said the suspect was seen leaving the church with the items.

The suspect was arrested hours after and he was told of the offence, which he admitted to committing.

Police have since recovered the music box, which was hidden at Seventh Avenue, Bartica opposite a burial ground.

The suspect told the Police that he shared the beverages with his friends.

The suspect, a resident of Bartica, is presently in custody at Bartica Police Station, assisting with the investigation.