AN intruder at Warrnambool’s St Joseph's Church residence got a shock when he bumped into feisty priest Father John Fitzgerald on Monday morning.
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The man entered the church premises about 6am and was using a torch to search for items to steal when he found Fr Fitzgerald, who was asleep in his room.
"I was asleep when this fellow entered my bedroom and shone a torch at me,” Fr Fitzgerald said.
“He got a shock when he realised someone was in the house.
“He said he was the police. I said: 'I'll be the one getting the police' and he fled. It was just a knee-jerk response."
The parish priest said he didn't jump out of bed to confront the intruder but was pleased the burglar quickly left.
"He only said the one phrase and departed,” he said. “It was dark. He was youngish but not a kid.”
Fr Fitzgerald, who has lived in the residence for 13 years, said there had been a few break-ins at the church in recent times.
"We've had the odd intruder over the years... the odd break-in. They're mainly after cash. Nothing else was disturbed this time.
"You would have to be pretty desperate to break into a church. It makes you wonder about his situation.”
Detectives and crime scene investigators have visited the scene.
Detective Senior Constable Jason Bourke, of the Warrnambool Crime Investigation Unit, urged anyone who may have been passing the church bounded by Raglan Parade, Kepler Street and Lava Street about 6am to contact police.
"We're appealing for anyone who may have seen anyone leaving the church grounds or in the vicinity between 5.50am and 6.10am to contact the Warrnambool police Crime Investigation Unit or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000," he said.
"The offender has disturbed Father John and ran from the church grounds. It seems to be the act of a desperate person, especially committing such a crime during the Easter period.”
The offender made off with cash, keys and vouchers.