Wilmington, Del., Jun 27, 2010 / 11:13 am
Cash will no longer be kept at the Cathedral of St. Peter, in Wilmington, Delaware, but little else can be done to prevent a robbery like the one that took place before the early Sunday Mass on June 13, the cathedral’s rector said.
“What can you do?” asked Father Joseph Cocucci. “We always welcome whoever comes into the church. We’ve had a number of situations where you could tell they were not coming into church to worship, but you give them the benefit of the doubt.”
Police charged Eric Hubbard, 49, of Wilmington with first degree robbery after Hubbard turned himself in June 17.
The robber fled with $65 in an envelope. Father Cocucci said the money was kept in the cathedral to provide assistance — $10 or $20 — to people who come in with immediate needs. “We’re not going to be able to do that anymore,” he said. “We will no longer keep any money in the church.”