Seven people have been arrested after Minneapolis police interrupted an alleged burglary at the Basilica of Saint Mary, a historic church in the city, shortly before 1am on Saturday.
Officers were sent to the building after a security monitoring company called 911 to report that a break-in was under way. Police said the company helped them locate people at the church and make several arrests.
Three adults and four minors were taken into custody on suspicion of offences including burglary of a business, trespassing and fleeing officers on foot.
The adults were booked into Hennepin County Jail, while the four minors were processed by the Minneapolis Police Department’s juvenile unit and released. The juvenile unit is leading the investigation.
Fr Ralph Tabot, pastor and rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary, said he was grateful to those who helped resolve the incident and to members of the community who had expressed concern.
Break-in comes during major Basilica renovation
The incident took place as the downtown Minneapolis basilica undergoes a £39 million-style equivalent, $50 million renovation project, involving work on the ceiling, stonework, floors, stained-glass windows, pews and organ.
The restoration began in 2024 and the interior work is expected to be completed by March 2027. The church remains open for worship in its lower level while the project continues.
