A man has been charged after he allegedly broke into a country parish at night, woke a priest and demanded money from the church safe.
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The 55-year-old man broke into the parish at Ararat's Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Victoria's central west at 11pm on July 17, police said.
He allegedly came in through the bedroom window, woke Reverend Andrew Hayes, and forced him to open the parish safe.
The 55-year-old suspect fled the scene with $1000, according to investigators.
The priest was not physically harmed during the break-in.
Suspect arrested after manhunt
A manhunt was launched by police in Ararat with investigators calling for public assistance to identify a hooded man seen on CCTV footage outside the church.
CCTV footage from outside the parish showed the suspect wandering the grounds calmly with his hands in his pockets around 45 minutes before the alleged break-in.
Police arrested the Heidelberg Heights man and he was charged with aggravated burglary, theft and criminal damage.
He was remanded on July 29 to appear before Horsham Magistrates Court at a later date.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan is a journalist for the Courier, dedicated to uncovering the stories that shape the city. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
