Robbers steal $600,000 from a megachurch

One of the seven weekly church services that Lakewood church holds. Source: Facebook

TEXAN authorities are investigating a case of theft at a megachurch in Houston, where $600,000 was stolen over the weekend.

The robbery was reported on Monday morning by a church staff member. ABC NEWS reports the money, $200,000 in cash and $400,000 in cheques, was stolen from a safe in the church building sometime between 2.30pm Sunday and 8.30am Monday.
A statement released by Lakewood church identified that the $600,000 stolen was limited to collections from the weekend services. Congregation members who gave money online were not affected by the theft.

Lakewood church has a massive average weekly attendance of 43,000 people. Source: Facebook

“We were heartbroken to learn today that funds were stolen from the church over the weekend,” the statement read.
“We are working with the police to fully investigate the incident. The funds were fully insured, and we are working with our insurance company to restore the stolen funds to the church.”
The church encouraged people who made contributions over this past weekend to monitor their bank accounts, as envelopes with written credit card information were also among items stolen from the safe.
More than 40,000 people attend the seven weekly services led by Pastor Joel Osteen. Lakewood church is the largest protestant church in America.

The Lakewood Church building in Houston, Texas Source: Facebook