Man charged in donation box thefts across Nassau County

A 60-year-old man was arrested last Friday in connection with a series of thefts and attempted thefts at Catholic churches across Nassau County.

Nassau County police arrested William Hepworth during the afternoon of Feb. 13 after what it described as an extensive investigation into incidents at multiple religious institutions.

Hepworth damaged a donation box and removed cash from Maria Regina Roman Catholic Church on Jerusalem Avenue in Seaford last December, according to police. That same month, he allegedly removed a donation box containing cash from Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church on East Jamaica Avenue in Valley Stream.

Hepworth additionally allegedly failed to remove cash from a donation box at St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church on Bedford Avenue in Bellmore in January, according to police. Most recently, on Feb. 10, police said he damaged and removed a donation box at Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church on Broadway in Carle Place.

Hepworth is charged with three counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, third- and fourth-degree criminal mischief, possession of burglar tools, tampering with physical evidence, petit larceny and attempted petit larceny.

He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment at First District Court in Hempstead and is due back in court Feb. 18. Hepworth is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County.