Burglars leave destruction in second Magna church break-in this week

For the second time this week, and fifth time in the past two years, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Magna has been hit by burglars.

Melanie Dern, finance director for the parish, said a door to the rectory attached to the church was broken down about 3 a.m. last Saturday and a flat screen TV was taken. Then about 7:30 a.m. Thursday, a deacon arrived to conduct services only to find broken glass and a priest's desktop computer missing.

The burglars also broke into two safes, one containing old records and another usually used for cash — but Dern had already taken the week's deposits to the bank, so no money was missing.

The burglars — believed by Unified Police detectives to be neighborhood juveniles — also made a mess of the building's interior, breaking statues and ransacking the kitchen area of the church at 2840 S. 9000 West.

Dern said the public response, however, has been heart-warming.

"People have been so kind, sending in small checks of $10 or $20," she said, adding that the Catholic-run Judge Memorial football team was planning to "pass the bucket" at its games to raise more money.

Anyone with information on this case is urged to call UPD at 801-743-5862.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims