Caught on video: Armed robbers steal Sunday collection from Church on the Way in Van Nuys

Los Angeles police released security camera footage Thursday showing how masked, armed robbers stole the Sunday collection from Church on the Way employees in Van Nuys on Monday.

Three suspects drove into the parking lot of the church at 14300 Sherman Way about 3:30 p.m. Monday, police said. They stopped behind a car with church employees who were about to take an undisclosed amount of money to the bank.

The suspects, all clad in black, jumped out of their car and confronted the employees. One masked robber hit an employee on the head as they removed the money from the car, police said. The suspects then hopped back in their car and sped off south from the church.

"The whole incident took less than 10 seconds.

Here is an image of one of the robbers and the car used when the collection from the Church on the Way was stolen on Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. (Video courtesy LAPD)

We have very little to go on," said Detective Glenn O'Shea, robbery coordinator for the Van Nuys Division.

The vehicle was a grey, four-door compact car with a dealer paper plate on rear, police said.

Neither O'Shea nor The Church on the Way disclosed how much money was taken. A church pastor said earlier this week the robbery was a prime example why churches are needed.

"Our prayer is for God to help those responsible to find justice and forgiveness," said the Rev. Ricky Temple, lead pastor for the 43-year-old Van Nuys congregation, in a statement.

The surveillance video is available online at http://www.lapdonline.org/ lapd_tv.

Police ask that anyone with information call O'Shea at 818-374-0087 or Detective Flores at 818-374-0079. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to 274637 with a cellphone. All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD." Tipsters may also fill out a form anonymously at http://tinyurl.com/c6ql2e.

dana.bartholomew@dailynews.com

818-713-3730

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/ci_22138548/caught-video-armed-robbers-steal-sunday-collection-from?source=rss_emailed

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