Bangladesh: Police Arrest Suspects in Dhaka Church Robbery, Recover Stolen Cash

A late-night robbery at a Catholic church in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, has left the local Christian community shaken, though police have arrested the culprits and recovered the stolen goods and money.

The incident took place around 2:30 a.m. on April 28 at De Mazenod Church in Baridhara, under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dhaka.

According to police and church sources, two masked men scaled the church boundary wall and entered the premises. They first locked the door of the staff room from the outside before cutting through the iron grill of the parish office. Inside, they tied the hands, feet, and face of Fr. Subash Pulak Gomes, OMI, the parish priest.

“When I resisted, they threatened me with something sharp, so I kept quiet,” Father Gomes told RVA News, recalling the traumatic experience.

The attackers then opened a cupboard and made away with approximately 250,000 taka (about USD 2,000), along with the priest’s passport, national identity card, and other important documents. The stolen cash included church donations collected during Lent, Holy Week, Sunday Masses, and funds allocated for the seminary.

Fr. Gomes sustained minor facial injuries during the struggle and later received first aid at a local hospital. Doctors said his injuries were not serious.

Following the incident, a case was filed at Bhatara Police Station. Police launched an investigation using CCTV footage and intelligence data, which led them to identify a battery-powered rickshaw used in the escape.

The first suspect, Akhter Hossain Mona (38), was arrested on April 30 from the Mugda area of Dhaka. Police recovered the rickshaw used in the crime and 100,000 taka of the stolen money from his possession.

Based on his information, another suspect, Mohammad Nizam Mizan (37), was arrested later that day in the Ramgati area of Lakshmipur district. Police recovered 48,000 taka from him.

The alleged mastermind of the robbery, Abul Hossain Ratan, also known as Habu (36), was arrested early on May 1 in the Amtala area under Khilkhet police station. Police said they recovered another 100,000 taka, along with Fr. Gomes’ passport and national identity card, from his possession.

Police said the three accused are known drug addicts and are involved in online gambling. They allegedly planned the robbery believing the church would have a large amount of cash following Easter celebrations. One suspect acted as a lookout and getaway driver, while the other two carried out the attack.

The incident has deeply disturbed members of the Catholic community in Dhaka.

“This is a religious institution with churches and schools. The money that was stolen came from the faithful. It is very sad,” Fr. Gomes said. “I hope such an incident never happens again to anyone. Now I am relieved that the police have arrested the perpetrators, and I hope justice will be served.”