Police: Man Burglarized 10 Houses of Worship

A Long Beach man was arrested in connection with 10 burglaries at houses of worship throughout the city since last summer.

Terrence Farr, 44, was arrested and charged with 10 counts of third-degree burglary on Dec. 8, and was arraigned at Long Beach City Court by Judge Frank Dikranis on Friday. Farr is being held at the Nassau County Correction Facility in lieu of $10,000 bail.

According to detectives, Farr committed 10 burglaries from July to December at St. Mary of the Isle Church, Cruzada Evangelica Misioner, Friedberg Jewish Community Center Nursery School, New Life Church of Christ, and Bach Jewish Center. Some of these buildings were burglarized more then once, police said.

“The proceeds of these burglaries were typically cash and items that were made of precious or semi-precious metals,” said Sgt. Richard DePalma in a statement. “Our detectives conducted a thorough investigation that included surveillance at some of the locations. Based on this and other evidence, the Long Beach police detectives arrested Mr. Farr.” 

LBPD Inspector John Radin and Detective Lt. James Canner plan to hold an informational meeting with local clergy leaders about the burglary spree Dec. 13.

“Clergy leaders will be informed of what has been happening in regard to these burglaries and what has been done to prevent any reoccurrences,” police said.

Patch reported on a burglary spree of houses of worship and focused on a burglary in October at the St. John's Lutheran Church by The Sea, where ten antique, solid brass candle holders and candelabras, communion candles and two brass vases were stolen from the alter and the adjacent sacristy room.

* This story was updated at 12:50 p.m. on 12/12/11.