Toms River church burglarized, vandalized

Only hours after parishioners of Saint Joseph's Church in Toms River viewed the screening of Pope Francis's mass from Philadelphia, filed out and headed home, the stillness was broken by looting and destruction.

Toms River police are investigating the burglary in the house of worship on Hooper Avenue that left empty poorboxes in its wake, along with a broken artifacts and debris late Sunday into Monday.

According to authorities, suspects entered the main area, pried open the boxes containing cash for the needy, smashed a wooden memorial candle stand and left damage estimated to be in the thousands of dollars.

Investigators say they were notified Monday. The church closed Sunday night at 8 PM following the special service.

Detective Robert O'Neill is leading the investigation. He can be reached through the Toms River Police Facebook page or at 732-349-0150, ext. 1255.