Serial church burglars on run across Michigan, Ohio

40 different church robberies reported in Michigan, Ohio

DEXTER, Mich. – Police are hoping surveillance pictures will help catch a group of serial church burglars.

The men are on the run after breaking into more than three dozen churches in Michigan and Ohio.

"Obviously they are in a point in their life where they're desperate and have to rob churches," said Karl Meyer, Warden of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Church in Dexter.

Despite an alarm, robbers broke in through the back window of the church last month, ripping open envelopes for charity and stealing the cash.

"They found the box, ripped open the envelopes, left the checks and took the cash. If you had three minutes and heard the alarm going off would you do that?" said Meyer.

St. Vladimir is one of 40 different church robberies across the state.

Police are releasing these photos of possible suspects. In both cases, the robbers were spotted in hooded sweatshirts.

At least a dozen church break-ins have been reported in Lenawee County, nine in Monroe, seven in Washtenaw and two in Hillsdale County.

The men also made their way to Ohio, where nine churches were robbed in Fulton County.

When Local 4 showed Meyer who the police are looking for, he recognized the faces from visiting the church.

"What makes me irritated is I know there were probably at least 10-15 people who introduced themselves and said welcome to our Parrish. And then these guys come back the next night and rip us off," said Meyer.

At one church, several Walmart gift cards were stolen. They were later tracked to a store in Canton where a car stereo and speakers where purchased with them.

If you recognize the men, you are asked to call police.