Surveillance video was rolling as a suspect cut into a church collection box at a Catholic church in Brooklyn before making off with the money inside.

The Diocese of Brooklyn says it happened Friday afternoon at St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church located in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn. 

According to a news release from the diocese, surveillance video shows the suspect cutting open one of the wooden collection boxes and removing an unknown amount of money before leaving the church. The diocese says camera footage shows that the suspect was in the church for a while, appearing to be praying, but that "it is now evident he was waiting to be alone in thechurch" in order to steal the money.

“I am saddened by what happened inside our beautiful church yesterday, but I am grateful to God that no one was injured. I understand in these unprecedented times, many people have lost their jobs and need assistance, but this not how you turn to the church for help. My message to those in need is to ring our doorbell, don’t vandalize and steal, and let us help you,” Father Willy Kingsley Ndi, administrator of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, said in a statement.

The diocese is asking that anyone with information contact the NYPD’s 78 Precinct at 718-636-6411 or NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-8477.