Metal Thieves Steal California Church Cross

Metal thieves used a sledgehammer to smash a California church stained-glass window and steal a cross and other religious items.

Fresno police say they have recovered most of the items taken from St. Therese Roman Catholic Church.

Father Michael Burchfield says the thieves broke into the church earlier this month and ripped off metal fasteners from priest vestments.

Also taken was a 2-foot cross that contained a splinter from the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.

The Fresno Bee says they used a sledgehammer to shatter the stained-glass window made in France.

Fresno police notified the church on Tuesday that most of the stolen items have been recovered, but detectives are withholding details.

The cross is still missing.