At least 12 houses of worship in Montgomery County have been burglarized in a little more than the past month, according to Kate Chance, Montgomery County’s faith community liaison.
Overwhelmingly, the targets have been Buddhist and Hindu Temples. Several mosques also have been broken into, Chance said.
There have been no injuries, and most of the vandalism resulted in broken down doors and minor damage as the men, who have been seen on surveillance cameras, look for money.
Chance only named a few of the places that were robbed, explaining, “I’m being extra cautious. i don’t want to hurt anyone’s trust.”
Wat Thai Washington, D.C., a Buddhist Temple on Layhill Road in Silver Spring, was victimized about April 7 when three men entered the premises and took $20,000 from the area of the monk’s residence.
Police have surveillance video and a car’s license plate number from that incident.
A man entered the temple and distracted a member by asking questions. “He didn’t know they broken into the monk’s residence,” said a board member who only identified herself as Ann.
They took $20,000. Some of that money was from donations and some belonged to temple members, she said.
According to the board member, Wat Thai members were told by police that a Romanian crime group is involved, not just in Montgomery County, but throughout the United States.
Police do not consider the incidents a hate crime but rather a crime of opportunity, she said.
That temple also was broken into in October of 2023.
“We are not scared, but we are cautious,” the board member said. “We’ll have to be more cautious.”
The Ahmadiya Muslim Community on Good Hope Road in Silver Spring also was broken into. “They could not succeed in getting anything. They broke the door,” said National General Secretary Mukhtar Malhi.
“We couldn’t find any video,” he said, adding, “We are not scared. We are more active and vigilant.”
Also vandalized was the Noor Center on Boland Farm Road in Germantown.
Councilmember Sidney Katz, chair of the council’s public safety committee, told MCM, “The police have certainly been aware of it. We are very concerned for everyone in the community.” He added, “Why someone would target religious institutions is mind boggling.”
Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe said it is important for the county to increase grants that cover such things as security cameras and to make sure all houses of worship, no matter how small, are aware of the need to be vigilant and apply for these grants.
Chance advised members of all houses of worship to report any incidents to Montgomery County Police immediately. All houses of worship and non-profits are eligible for a free security assessment from the police and can apply for a grant from the county for security equipment.
Everyone should be vigilant and aware of their surroundings. They should not keep large amounts of cash or valuables at their building, Chance wrote in a newsletter. She also suggested that security camera footage is saved to a back-up device for at least a month.
When asked for a list of all houses of worship that have been vandalized, a MCP spokesperson sent an email to MCM noting, “Unfortunately, we do not have direct access to this information.”
Photo from Wat Thai Washington D.C. Facebook
