By Bruno Matarazzo Jr.
DANVERS — A thief broke into the Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church over the weekend and stole the money that parishioners had raised at their church fair on Saturday.
The break-in was one of two burglaries at North Shore churches over the weekend. The second occurred at the South Congregational Church in Peabody.
At the Northshore U.U. Church, more than $3,000 in cash was stolen, according to the Rev. Frieda Gillespie. The money was raised at the Octoberfair, one of the biggest fundraisers at the Locust Street church.
"It's one of the ways we continue to exist," Gillespie said of the fundraising money.
The break-in happened sometime between Saturday at 3 p.m., when the fair ended, and Monday morning, when police were alerted.
Police Capt. Edmund Plamowski said the thief got inside the building — a back door that is usually locked was open, Gillespie said — and then broke a window to open a locked office door. The money was stolen from the office.
Patrolman Keith Chalmers responded to investigate the break-in, and Detective Eric Clarizia responded to assist.
In Peabody, police received a report of a church break-in Sunday morning at the South Congregational Church on Prospect Street, near the Northshore Mall.
Lt. Dennis Bonaiuto said someone broke into the church and three offices inside. Less than $40 was stolen.
Police said the break-in occurred between 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday.
Patrolman Fred Wojick is investigating with Detective Doug Marcus.
