Metro

Two arrested for stealing Hurricane Sandy relief supplies from Staten Island church

(EPA)

A pair of heartless fiends were arrested yesterday after they were caught stealing donated supplies for Hurricane Sandy victims from a church.

The church’s pastor said police had been staking out the Christian Pentecostal Church, a relief supply hub for victims, after a series of storm-related burglaries. The most recent one was on New Year’s Eve, he said.

Cops spotted Edwin Rios, 46, and William Banks, 43, opening a gate to the rear parking lot on Richmond Road, and driving a U-Haul truck inside, police said.

They were cuffed on Palma Drive and Targee Street with 35 stolen cases of bottled water.

“I think it is not only a crime against people, but a crime against God,” said Rev. Dr. John Rocco Carlo, 69, a retired NYPD captain. “Because God sent this stuff here to help people, and you stole. And there’s a consequence to that.”

Carlo said the church had been burglarized about six or seven times since the storm. Thieves have stolen rakes, shovels, cleaning supplies, and toiletries, among other items.

Although he said he filed police complaints, he said the issue got more attention after he spoke to Staten Island’s Assistant Chief Kevin Ward about it during a funeral at the church.

The church had begun moving the supplies inside, but it was still a problem, according to Carlo.

He said he and others had even chased cold-hearted thieves out of the lot at night several times—even on Thanksgiving.

He thinks more than two people are involved in the unholy heists, and could be part of a larger group.

Between 30 and 40 organizations rely on the church, which received almost 800 tons of supplies.

“If you need it, come,” said Carlo. “Don’t steal.”