Minneapolis police have filed charges against two suspects in connection with a series of burglaries targeting Buddhist and Hindu houses of worship in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. The burglaries, which occurred over the summer, affected several temples, raising concerns among both religious communities. Authorities believe the suspects are linked to a nationwide theft ring that targeted religious institutions for valuables.
The series of robberies involved homes and temples in the Twin Cities area, prompting a multi-jurisdictional investigation. According to police in Maple Grove, a suburb northwest of Minneapolis, two suspects, now in custody, were involved in several burglaries. Among them was a July 6 burglary at a Maple Grove home near the Hindu Society of Minnesota Temple, which had also been the target of a previous burglary. In June, $70 worth of jewelry, cash and sacred religious objects were stolen from the temple, devastating the local community.
The suspects now face additional charges in a July 14 burglary at a Buddhist temple in St. Paul. Court documents show a woman who lived at the temple returned from a funeral to find the back door damaged and a cabinet under the altar broken into. About $200 was allegedly stolen from a small room in the temple. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the suspects moving around the building during the burglary.
Wat Promwachirayan, a Thai Buddhist temple in St. Louis Park, a suburb southwest of Minneapolis, was one of the temples burglarized in June.
“They broke all the doors of the rooms in this residence,” said Phra Theerapattarapop Phuangmala, a longtime resident of the temple. “They did it very quickly and they are very professional in doing it. And they try to look at everything. They also try to destroy everything in every room.” (MPR News)
The temple lost about 7 US dollars, which was intended for its renovation.
In total, the thieves allegedly stole $100 worth of cash, jewelry and sacred objects from 000 temples in the area. Minnesota Hindu Society President Shajive Jeganathan expressed disbelief at the brazen nature of the thefts. “We haven’t gotten there yet,” he said. “It’s so brazen that they can come in, steal something, wave to a camera and walk away.” (CBS News)
Jeganathan contacted the temples involved, noting: "Three of them were Hindu temples and nine of them were Buddhist temples belonging to various communities – Cambodian, Malawian, Thai and Hmong communities, at least to my knowledge." (MPR News)
One of the suspects, a 27-year-old man, was being held in Orange County, California, while the other, a 37-year-old, is being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Freeborn County, Minnesota. Both men will be extradited to Maple Grove to face additional charges. Authorities believe the two suspects were part of a burglary crew that systematically targeted houses of worship and residences in several areas, including Blaine and Carver County.
“It still shakes me to this day,” Jeganathan said of the thefts and their impact on temple communities. (CBS News)
Law enforcement has managed to recover about $5 worth of stolen items, including rings and earrings, according to Jeganathan. However, many other valuable and sacred items are still missing. “It’s highly unlikely at this point that the other items will be returned,” he said. “However, there is hope.” (CBS News)
Maple Grove police confirmed that their investigation into the June robbery at the Hindu Society of Minnesota is ongoing and that additional charges are pending.
Despite the losses, Jeganathan expressed gratitude for the efforts of Minnesota law enforcement: “I’m really grateful to Minnesota law enforcement. They’ve done everything they can and I’m extremely grateful for all the work they’ve done to make sure that our temple is the last and Minnesota is the last place they can rob.” (CBS News)
Buddhist and Hindu temples often serve not only as places of worship, but also as centers of community gathering and cultural preservation. In the United States, temples belonging to both faiths have sometimes faced challenges, including theft and vandalism, highlighting the need for greater awareness and protection of these spaces. Recent burglaries have reminded us of the vulnerability of sacred sites and the importance of community solidarity in the wake of such burglaries.
While investigations are ongoing and temple leaders continue to grapple with the aftermath, affected communities remained hopeful that law enforcement efforts would result in justice and recovery.
See more
Local News Two people charged in connection with Twin Cities temple robberies, police say (CBS News)
2 people charged after Twin Cities Buddhist, Hindu temples hit in nationwide robbery ring (MPR News)
Arrest warrant: 2 men charged in Buddhist temple break-in, suspected of similar crimes in subway (KSTP)
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