Megalopolis, Arcadia – November 9 A string of brazen thefts has left churches across the greater Megalopolis area in Arcadia reeling after 26 bells were stolen in just three weeks.
Three men are suspected of targeting remote churches, systematically removing the bells for their valuable metals, including bronze, copper, and in some cases, silver and gold. Authorities estimate the total value of the stolen bells to exceed €40,000.
The scale of the thefts is staggering. Among the most significant losses were two bells from the Agia Paraskevi Church in Akovo. One measured 55cm in diameter and weighed 75kg, while the other measured 45cm in diameter and weighed approximately 65kg.
The thieves’ method was consistent: they targeted isolated churches, using a rechargeable electric saw to cut the bells’ chains, letting them crash to the ground before loading them into a vehicle and escaping.
The spree began on October 25th with the theft of a bell from the Church of Agios Sozon in Neochori, followed by another bell stolen from a different church on the same day. For the next three weeks, churches across the region were targeted.
Witness Accounts Aid Investigation
The frequency of the thefts quickly overwhelmed local authorities, who soon realized they were dealing with an organized operation. Reports indicate that in some instances, the thieves also stole cash donations. The newspaper “Patris” published the account of a witness to the theft at the Holy Trinity Church:
“They stole two bells, a small one weighing 10kg and a large one weighing 200kg, made of copper, silver, and gold, from the bell tower. Their value is estimated at €1,500. They also forced open the aluminum side door of the church with a sharp object and took €30 in coins from the donation box. They also broke the metal door of an adjacent storage room, but nothing was taken from there.”
Clergy members across the region expressed disbelief at the thefts. One priest reported to authorities: “I received a call from the village president informing me that the chapel door was open. Upon arrival, I discovered the door had been forced, and the donation box was open. I then noticed that the bell, weighing approximately 50kg, had been removed from the belfry, along with the thick chain and iron base it hung from. Shortly after, another church committee member contacted me to report that a bell had been stolen from a different chapel.”
Police reports also detail damage to church roofs, indicating the thieves climbed onto the structures to cut the chains. Furthermore, a bell manufacturer informed authorities that the thieves intentionally dropped the bells from the belfries to break them into smaller, more manageable pieces for transport.
Crucially, witness descriptions of the suspects’ vehicle have provided authorities with leads. One witness reported: “Last Saturday, I saw an unfamiliar car in the area. The driver was inside, while the passengers were outside, standing near a house with a small chapel and a visible bell in the yard. I saw them observing and watching. When they realized I had noticed them, they quickly got into the car and drove off towards the region of Ilia.” The investigation is ongoing.