Seven people have been arrested after Minneapolis police intervened in an alleged burglary at the Basilica of Saint Mary in the early hours of Saturday, 24 October.
Officers were called to the historic church shortly before 1am after a security monitoring company reported that people had broken into the building. Police said the company helped them locate those inside.
Three adults and four minors were detained 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. That unit is leading the investigation.
Break-in during Basilica renovation
The incident occurred as the downtown Minneapolis landmark undergoes a multi-million-dollar restoration project, which began in 2024.
The work includes repairs to the church’s exterior, plaster ceiling, stone walls, floors and stained-glass windows, as well as restoration of its pews and organ. Interior renovations are expected to be completed by March 2027, ahead of Palm Sunday.
The Basilica remains open for worship in its lower level while the work continues. Improving security across the building is also part of the renovation plans.
Fr Ralph Talbot, the Basilica’s pastor and rector, said the security system had detected “unauthorised persons” inside the church early on Saturday. He said the Basilica would co-operate with the prosecution and thanked the police, security staff and members of the community who had expressed concern.
