Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Priest Robbed at Gunpoint Outside Staten Island Church, Sources Say

PORT RICHMOND — A priest headed to mass was robbed at gunpoint by two men outside his church early Thursday, sources and parish members said.

Father Marc J. Roselli S.J., 61, drove into the parking lot of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, at 1265 Castleton Ave., at about 5:10 a.m. when two men approached him, said Eva Contreras, the parish secretary for the church.  

One of the men pulled out a gun and Roselli — who was not wearing his collar at the time — handed over $18 in cash, his credit cards and car keys to the muggers, according to sources and Contreras.

After Roselli gave them his property, one of them punched him in the face and then the pair drove off in his car, Contreras said.

Police later recovered Roselli's car a few blocks away from the church, Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said.

Roselli refused medical attention but got a black eye from the attack, Contreras said.

Despite the mugging, Contreras said Roselli still served mass at the church on Thursday.