Six arrested in burglary of an Arkansas Buddhist temple, in what may be a nationwide spree
A string of Buddhist temple burglaries has taken place in the last month, including in Southern California, Arizona, Oklahoma and North Carolina.
Marta Chicui, top from left, Francisca Velcu and Floarea Miclescsu. Voinea Gratiani Miclescu, bottom from left, Claudia Velcu and Narcisa Velcu. Photos courtesy of Benton County Sheriff
May 5, 2021
(RNS) Six people were arrested this week and face charges of robbery, trespassing and third degree assault at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Rogers, Arkansas, in what appears to be a growing pattern of break-ins and thefts at Asian Buddhist temples across the country.
Police: Six arrests made for burglary at Rogers Buddhist temple
Police say six Romanian nationals have been arrested and are believed to be part of a group targeting Buddhist temples across the country.
Credit: Benton County Sherriff s Office Author: 5NEWS Web Staff Updated: 6:17 PM CDT May 10, 2021
ROGERS, Ark. Deputies with the Benton County Sheriff s Office have arrested six Romanian nationals who they believe are part of a group targeting Buddhist temples across the country for robberies.
On April 20, police say an invasion happened at a home on Lakeside Drive in Rogers, Ark., that also serves as a Vietnamese Buddhist Temple.
Police: Six arrests made for burglary at Rogers Buddhist temple
Police say six Romanian nationals have been arrested and are believed to be part of a group targeting Buddhist temples across the country. Author: 5NEWS Web Staff Updated: 6:17 PM CDT May 10, 2021
ROGERS, Ark. Deputies with the Benton County Sheriff s Office have arrested six Romanian nationals who they believe are part of a group targeting Buddhist temples across the country for robberies.
On April 20, police say an invasion happened at a home on Lakeside Drive in Rogers, Ark., that also serves as a Vietnamese Buddhist Temple.
Police say six people - Marta Chicui, Francisca Velcu, Floarea Miclescu, Voinea Gratiani Miclescu, Claudia Velcu and Narcisa Velcu - have been arrested in connection with forced entry into the temple in Rogers. The six suspects have since posted bail.
Benton County deputies arrested six people who are suspected of taking part in an invasion of a Vietnamese Buddhist temple last month in Rogers.In one incident, four women went to the temple, which is also a home, on April 20 asking for prayers for a family member, according to a news release from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.The women were told that ceremonies were taking place only in Vietnamese due to COVID-19, according to deputies.One of the women asked to use the restroom while deputies said the others attempted to distract the person at the temple.The women were asked to leave.Two days later, deputies said five women and one man returned to and forced their way inside.Investigators said similar cases have been reported at Buddhist temples in Oklahoma, California and Arizona. The individuals allegedly use minivans and a lookout person, deputies said.Detectives said they think the Buddhist temples are being targeted due to the passive nature of the occupants and t