Churchgoers nabbed two young men allegedly breaking the eighth commandment at Palm Sunday services in Flushing yesterday, witnesses said.
During a midday worship at the Love of Christ Presbyterian Church, an eagle-eyed elderly man spied the duo allegedly trying to steal women’s purses.
“Thief, thief!” the man yelled in Korean, sending the two young crooks running, witnesses said.
One worshiper said he was impressed at how his fellow parishioners sprang into action.
“I couldn’t believe how fast they reacted,” he said. “They [churchgoers] were quicker than the thieves.”
Parishioners gave chase, and the two were caught and held until cops arrived.
“I asked, ‘Why would you rob someone in church?’ ” said stunned church member Charles Lee, who ran down one of the two suspects.
“He told me [it was] because someone robbed him last week. That’s no reason.”
Love of Christ congregants said the young suspects are known neighborhood residents but not members of their church.
“I thought it taught people a lesson in church that we’re not a closed community, that strange people can come in and do harm,” Lee said.
The two were being questioned Sunday night at the 111th Precinct station.
The suspects are also being investigated in connection with thefts reported about an hour earlier at the Korean Presbyterian Church, also in Flushing, according to members of both churches.
Two women, ages 52 and 59, had their purses stolen from that church’s basement, according to law enforcement sources.
The women lost $1,000 cash, a credit card, two Samsung cellphones, sunglasses and a Bible in that theft, sources said.
Additional reporting by David K. Li