The well known pastor Joel Osteen and his Houston megachurch has been robbed – the thieves getting away with cash, checks, and credit card information from a church safe.
Police spokeswoman Jodi Silva said Tuesday that no arrests have been made in the theft that occurred at Lakewood Church.
The goods in the safe contained the offerings that were given on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9. Investigators believe the safe was broken into between 2:30 pm Sunday and 8:30 am Monday. Lakewood followers have been advised to monitor their accounts.
The megachurch discovered the theft on Monday, and informed churchgoers of the burglary via email.
A THEFT of "MEGA" proportions. @JoelOsteen church @lakewoodch had $600K stolen from their weekend collection. #megachurch #Godsmoney
— David Geipel (@DavidGeipel) March 11, 2014
someone named it & claimed it in 600k robbery of prosperity gospel pulpit pimp joel osteen's phony church http://t.co/ZJ8PXRw2EQ
— WST… (@wesawthat) March 11, 2014
Lakewood Church must really do well on the weekends, as authorities are investigating that approximately $600,000 ($200,000 in cash and $400,000 in checks) was stolen from that safe. Osteen’s megachurch is one of the largest congregations in the country.
The church has been known to see more than 40,000 people attend weekly services, and Osteen’s televised sermons reach nearly 100 countries.
Church officials say there’s no data breach and the stolen funds are insured. However, followers’ credit card information was in donation envelopes. They also commented that they are cooperating with police.
In a statement issued Monday, Lakewood Church said, “We are working with the police to fully investigate the incident. The funds were fully insured, and we are working with our insurance company to restore the stolen funds to the church.”
The Houston Police Department is investigating the matter.
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