On Tuesday, officials revealed that a priest thwarted an attempted theft at a Philadelphia church, catching a man trying to break into the church’s “poor box” just days before Christmas.

The alleged thief, identified through surveillance footage, reportedly targeted Our Mother of Consolation Church on December 20, aiming to steal from the donation box—an essential resource for aiding the community, especially during the festive season.

Authorities reported that the suspect quickly left the premises upon noticing the priest entering the church’s worship area.

The Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) released the footage, highlighting the priest’s intervention during the attempted burglary at the church.

Our Mother of Consolation Church in Philadelphia was the site of the attempted theft on December 20, 2025, occurring mere days before the Christmas holiday.

“The complainant (resident priest of Our Mother of Consolation Church) stated he was in his second floor bedroom above the church when he heard a loud noise at the entrance of the church,” the police said.

“When he went down he observed an unknown black male breaking into the ‘poor box’ in the main church worship area.”

Police are looking for a male suspect responsible for a commercial church burglary in Philadelphia. (Philadelphia Police Department)

After noticing the priest, the suspect fled and was last seen heading northbound on Germantown Ave., police said.

The PPD told Fox News Digital Tuesday that the collection box was empty at the time of the incident and nothing was taken. 

A male suspect allegedly tried to break into a church’s “poor box.” (Philadelphia Police Department)

The suspect was described as a Black male, bald, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and white sneakers.

The PPD Northwest Detective Division is attempting to identify the individual responsible for the commercial church burglary. Authorities urged residents not to approach the suspect if they see him and to contact 911 immediately.