Three men were caught on video stealing from a Buddhist temple in Glenmont-Wheaton, Maryland. The theft occurred while people were inside preparing lunch for the monks, just before 10 a.m. on a Sunday. The men stole a safe from the monk’s room, which contained $20,000. The money was donations from temple members and was used for printing books and preparing for the Thai New Year celebration.
The monk, Ruangrit Thaithaem, also known as Monk Jack, said the thieves have targeted several other temples across the country. Two weeks prior, The Noor Center, a mosque in Germantown, was also burglarized by three men, who appear similar to the ones caught on surveillance at Wat Thai. Monk Jack expressed sadness over the theft and urged the thieves to stop their actions, as they cause suffering to the community. He mentioned that even though law enforcement may not catch them, karma will eventually catch up to them.
The theft at Wat Thai took about 15 minutes and also resulted in the theft of Monk Jack’s personal items, including his ID, credit card, and social security card. He explained that the money stolen was intended for a specific purpose, and not typically kept in the temple. The monk sent a message to the thieves through the media, asking them to reconsider their actions and the impact they have on others. He emphasized the importance of stopping such criminal behavior to prevent harm and suffering to the community.
The monk mentioned that the thieves have targeted Buddhist temples in various locations, including California, Texas, and Virginia. He explained that he learned about the other thefts through conversations with other monks across the country. Monk Jack highlighted the significance of the stolen money in supporting the temple’s activities and events, and the impact it has on the community. He expressed hope that the thieves would change their ways and stop causing harm to others to avoid negative consequences in the future.
Authorities were contacted for further details on the theft, but no response was received in time for publication. The incident involving the theft at Wat Thai shed light on a larger issue of temple burglaries and the impact on the affected communities. The monk’s message to the thieves resonated with many, as he called for an end to criminal behavior that causes suffering and harm to innocent individuals. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of community support and the need to protect sacred spaces from such criminal activities.
