Police Looking for De Pere Church Intruder After Christmas Night Incident

DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A De Pere church and school says an intruder has been visiting its campus on Sundays for the past few weeks, and on Christmas night, another visit from that person caused quite the scene.

“I knew I would be getting a call sometime soon and most likely on a Sunday, never imagined it would be on Christmas night,” said Rev. Jim Baraniak, O. Praem of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

Baraniak rushed to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church Christmas night to find the parking lot lit up with police lights. Law enforcement was on scene for more than three hours, according to Baraniak.

De Pere Police, the Brown County Sheriff’s Department and Wisconsin State Patrol were among the agencies to respond to the church after a silent alarm was triggered, letting authorities know someone was in the building when they weren’t supposed to be. It’s something they were waiting for, as the church told them it had been happening on Sundays since at least October.

“Once officers responded, they established a perimeter around the building and essentially gave somebody, the person they believed to be in the building, commands to come out,” said Detective Sgt. Aaron Hanson with De Pere Police.

No one came out. Police cleared the building and later learned through surveillance footage that a woman had left just as they were arriving.

“The big thing is this person does not want to be threatening or engage with anybody,” said Hanson. “They’re choosing times when the church is empty, so they’re not considered a threat to anyone.”

Father Baraniak says the woman has been seen on surveillance video using keys to get in the building.

He says she’s only taken money from the school.

“We would just like this to end because people are feeling rather unsettled, and we’re feeling violated that there is someone walking through our buildings when nobody else is here and doing it in such a gingerly matter that it almost suggests ownership of this place,” said Baraniak.

Baraniak says the locks have been changed and security has been upgraded.

Leaders at the church don’t believe the woman has any connection to the school or parish.

If you happen to recognize her, you’re asked to call De Pere Police at (920) 339-4080, extension 1279.

Police Looking for De Pere Church Intruder After Christmas Night Incident

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