Holliston police seek suspect in shrine robbery

By Globe Staff

Holliston police say they are seeking to arrest a 38-year-old Hopedale man for allegedly robbing an elderly priest on Sunday at the Our Lady of Fatima shrine.

Juan C. Cruz

Juan C. Cruz, who is known to frequent the Milford and Woonsocket, R.I. area, has not been seen since the night of the crime, police said today in a statement. Police have obtained a warrant for his arrest on a charge of unarmed robbery of a person over 60.

The Globe reported Wednesday that thieves have tried to steal money from the shrine before. This time, a man waited for the Rev. Gerard Furlan, 77, to open the donation box, which had about $500 inside from candle sales, and transfer the cash to a carton he uses to carry the bundle of bills into the rectory.

Shortly before 6 p.m., the man grabbed the carton from the priest's hands and sprinted through the woods to a waiting van, which police said was driven by a woman.

"I'm ready to forgive at any time," Furlan said earlier this week. "I would just ask him to change his attitude. We would rather he doesn't go to jail."

Police asked anyone with information about Cruz to call them at 508-429-1212.

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