Police Looking for De Pere Church Intruder After Christmas Night Incident

“Once officers responded, they established a perimeter around the building and essentially gave somebody, the person they believed to be in the building, commands to come out,” said Detective Sgt. Aaron Hanson with De Pere Police.

No one came out. Police cleared the building and later learned through surveillance footage that a woman had left just as they were arriving.

“The big thing is this person does not want to be threatening or engage with anybody,” said Hanson. “They’re choosing times when the church is empty, so they’re not considered a threat to anyone.”

Father Baraniak says the woman has been seen on surveillance video using keys to get in the building.

He says she’s only taken money from the school.

“We would just like this to end because people are feeling rather unsettled, and we’re feeling violated that there is someone walking through our buildings when nobody else is here and doing it in such a gingerly matter that it almost suggests ownership of this place,” said Baraniak.

Baraniak says the locks have been changed and security has been upgraded.

Leaders at the church don’t believe the woman has any connection to the school or parish.

If you happen to recognize her, you’re asked to call De Pere Police at (920) 339-4080, extension 1279.