Thieves Threaten “La Negrita”

IN what has now become the fourth major robbery or attempted robbery at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels, a group of thieves broke into the church in Cartago, east of San José, in an unsuccessful attempt to steal valuable religious artifacts that may have included a statue of “La Negrita” – the virgin of Los Angeles – the daily Al Día reported.The thieves, who broke into the Basilica Sept. 23 at 1 a.m., did not suspect that agents from the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) awaited inside the church. According to Al Día, OIJ found out about the robbery in advance.However, the OIJ did not capture the band of delinquents, some of whom waited outside the church in a car while one broke into the Basilica, because they fled without a trace, said the daily.