Would-be robber hits priest with crowbar when he couldn't open safe, sheriff's office says
Jefferson Parish authorities say two men who tried to rob a Metairie church hit a priest with a crowbar when he couldn't open up a safe.
Col. John Fortunato, spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, tells The Times-Picayune the priest suffered minor injuries Sunday night and was treated at the scene.
The robbery attempt occurred just before 11 p.m. at St. Clement of Rome Church. Father Peter Finney III, grandson of the Times-Picayune sports columnist, escaped without serious injury.
Finney told Fox 8 "They were here for the money, they were here for the collection."
He was in his office when two would-be robbers entered the churc. One was armed with a pistol, and the other had the crowbar.
After Father Finney fled to the rectory, the suspects ran off without taking any property.
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