Two arrested over $100,000 theft at Greek Orthodox Church in Red Hill

TWO men have been charged after allegedly stealing more than $100,000 worth of jewellery from a Greek Orthodox Church in the state’s south.

Red Hill Greek Orthodox church robbed. Gold jewellery worth more than $100,000 was stolen from a Greek Orthodox Church in Red Hill on Wednesday. Picture: Susan Windmiller

TWO men have been charged after allegedly stealing more than $100,000 worth of jewellery from a Greek Orthodox Church in the state’s south.

Police believe two men — a Coldstream man, 34, and a Warburton man, 29 — entered the church on Arthurs Seat Rd, Red Hill, in late July.

It is alleged they smashed a glass box containing an icon of the Virgin Mary and took the gold jewellery inside — including rings, coins, bracelets and bangles — which had been donated to the church.

The men were arrested as a number of warrants were executed by police today, Victoria Police spokeswoman Belinda Batty said.

They were charged with burglary and theft and will appear in Frankston Magistrates’ Court at a later date.