Two Romanians arrested for church thefts in Ticino and Graubünden

Di Valerie Linc ·

Two Romanians arrested for thefts in six churches between Ticino and Graubünden. Learn about the investigation details and what to do if you've been a victim of theft.

Contesto

In brief - Two Romanians arrested for thefts in Ticino and Grisons churches - Six churches robbed between April 20 and 26, 2026 - Cash, silver cutlery, and burglary tools seized ## Key facts - What: Thefts in churches and a supermarket - When: Between April 20 and 26, 2026 - Where: Ticino and Canton Graubünden - Who: Ticino Cantonal Police and Public Prosecutor Veronica Lipari - Amount: Not yet specified The Ticino Cantonal Police have arrested two Romanian men, a 45-year-old and a 41-year-old, with foreign residences, for a series of thefts in churches in the cantons of Ticino and Graubünden. The arrests took place on April 26, 2026, in Claro, following a report to the joint alarm center (CECAL). During the search of the suspects' vehicles and personal belongings, cash estimated at 15,000 Swiss francs, silver cutlery worth 5,000 francs, and various burglary tools were found. The suspects are accused of repeated theft, violation of domicile, and unauthorized access. Investigations by prosecutor Veronica Lipari have revealed that the duo is responsible for at least six church thefts in Ticino and Graubünden, as well as a theft in a self-service supermarket in Lugano. The affected churches include San Lorenzo in Lugano, Santa Maria degli Angeli in Locarno, San Giovanni Battista in Bellinzona, San Pietro in Mendrisio, San Martino in Biasca, and San Rocco in Rivera. The arrest warrant was confirmed by the judge. Investigations are ongoing to determine if the two are involved in other similar cases in Switzerland. Authorities are asking parishes, religious institutions, and individuals who have suffered damage to offering boxes or similar thefts between April 20 and 26, 2026, to contact the Lugano Prosecutor's Office by mail (Via Pretorio 16, 6900 Lugano) or by filling o...

Dettagli operativi

Investigation Analysis The investigations conducted by the Kantonspolizei Tessin and prosecutor Veronica Lipari have uncovered a series of systematic thefts in churches and other public places, primarily in the municipalities of Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno. Investigators are carefully examining the evidence collected to determine if the two arrested individuals, Romanian citizens aged 32 and 45, are involved in another 15 similar crimes committed in the last six months. ### Investigation Procedure 1. Evidence Collection: The police searched the vehicles and personal belongings of the suspects, finding cash worth 12,000 Swiss francs, silver cutlery worth 5,000 francs, and burglary tools. Additionally, sacred objects stolen from churches in Lugano and Bellinzona were found. 2. Interrogations: The suspects were interrogated for over 10 hours each, obtaining information about the thefts and any potential accomplices. 'We are following every possible lead to bring all the culprits to justice,' stated prosecutor Lipari. 3. Comparison with Other Cases: Authorities are comparing these thefts with another 15 similar cases that occurred between January and June 2023 to identify any potential links. 4. Inter-Cantonal Collaboration: Law enforcement from the cantons of Ticino and Graubünden are collaborating to solve the case, exchanging information and coordinating investigations. ### Legal Implications The suspects are accused of repeated theft, violation of domicile, and unauthorized access. According to Article 139 of the Swiss Criminal Code, repeated theft can result in a prison sentence of up to 5 years or a fine of up to 300,000 francs. If convicted, they could face severe penalties, including imprisonment. Authorities are also considering whether to bring additional...

Punti chiave

What to do if you've been a victim of theft If you've been a victim of theft in a church or a public place in Ticino, it's crucial to act promptly and follow these detailed procedures: 1. Contact the police: Immediately report the theft to the local police. In Ticino, you can call the emergency number 117. Provide precise details about the incident, including the location, time, and description of the stolen items. For example, if the theft occurred in Lugano, you can reach the local police at 091 814 11 11. 2. Gather evidence: Document any damage or evidence of the theft with photos or videos. In recent cases, such as the theft at San Lorenzo Church in Lugano in 2022, photographic evidence helped authorities identify the culprits. Also, preserve any testimonies from people present at the scene. 3. Contact the Lugano Prosecution Office: Send a written report to the Lugano Prosecution Office (Via Pretorio 16, 6900 Lugano) or fill out the online form at ti.ch. Swiss law requires that theft reports be filed within one year of the incident, but it is advisable to act as soon as possible. 4. Collaborate with the authorities: Provide all necessary information to assist with the investigation. In cases such as the theft at Sant'Abbondio Church in Massagno in 2021, the collaboration of citizens helped recover historically valuable objects. ### Operational Checklist - Documentation: Photos, videos, testimonies. - Report: Contact the police and the prosecution office. - Collaboration: Provide all useful information. ### Useful Tools For further information and assistance, you can use the following tools: - Salary calculator - Safety guide - Online reporting form ### Conclusion This case underscores the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and the communi...

Punti chiave

[{"q":"What should I do if I suspect a theft in a church?","a":"If you suspect a theft in a church, immediately contact the local police and provide precise details about the incident. Document any damage or evidence of the theft with photos or videos and report it to the Lugano Prosecutor's Office."},{"q":"What are the charges against the two arrested individuals?","a":"The suspects are accused of repeated theft, burglary, and unauthorized access. Authorities are also considering whether to bring additional charges based on the evidence collected."},{"q":"How can I report a theft to the Lugano Prosecutor's Office?","a":"You can report a theft to the Lugano Prosecutor's Office by sending a written report to Via Pretorio 16, 6900 Lugano, or by filling out the online form at ti.ch."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I suspect a theft in a church?
If you suspect a theft in a church, immediately contact the local police and provide precise details about the incident. Document any damage or evidence of the theft with photos or videos and report it to the Lugano Prosecutor's Office.
What are the charges against the two arrested individuals?
The suspects are accused of repeated theft, burglary, and unauthorized access. Authorities are also considering whether to bring additional charges based on the evidence collected.
How can I report a theft to the Lugano Prosecutor's Office?
You can report a theft to the Lugano Prosecutor's Office by sending a written report to Via Pretorio 16, 6900 Lugano, or by filling out the online form at ti.ch.

Related articles