Church Burglar Busted on Tape

(JENSEN BEACH)  No one knows why 33 year-old Jonathan Ricci came to St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church in Jensen Beach. But his visits caused not only harm, they now are considered criminal on many counts.

Detectives say surveillance video shows Ricci coming to the church alter and stealing the sacrament, the book used to deliver mass.

No one knows what he did next with the holy book. When police searched his home they did not find it.

2 days later Ricci returned and threw the holy sacrament--the bread taken during communion--on the floor of the church. It's equivalent, say Catholics, to tossing God on the floor.

"It was desecration .. desecration. And that is very serious and to me as a Catholic, it just cuts to my core." said Lori Shekailo, staff at St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church.

"I dont have any idea why anyone would come in and steal the sacramentary." Shekailo said, noting the book is used by priests to deliver mass.

Members say the stealing or tossing of "the bread of life" symbolizing Christ, is very offensive.

"You need to understand that as catholics, we believe ok, that that is the body of Christ when you receive the blessed sacrament in communion. That is God." said Shekailo, "For him to grab that or stick it in his pocket or throw it on the floor, is just so vile in my opinion--it is so offensive to me."

After Ricci threw the communion host on the floor, two churchmembers subdued and tackled him, but not before he grabbed a preist by his robe, and 2 members taking communion were also injured and sent to the hospital in the scuffle.

"To grab a priest who is performing mass en persona cristi, in the person of Christ, and to curse and defame in our place of worship is so offensive to me that I am absolutley--I am appalled." Shekailo said.

The church wants to make it clear, if Ricci needed help, food, clothing--they would have given it to him--He did not need to steal nor need to attack a priest.