Police search Most Holy Redeemer after reported break-in

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

Updated Sept. 5 here.

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Police searched Most Holy Redeemer Church for about two hours early this evening after a witness reported seeing a man force his way inside the closed building at 173 E. Third St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

The witness who called 911 described the suspect as a tall, thin, white male. He reportedly jumped the fence, broke open the church doors and entered the building before 4:30 p.m. 

The block was roped off as Emergency Service Unit officers, Strategic Response Group members, multiple K-9 units and other law enforcement personnel responded. 

Some officers carried shields and long guns while teams searched the building.

The size of the response alarmed onlookers. 

Officers repeatedly told people at the scene that there was no bomb threat. It was not immediately clear what prompted such an extensive response. 

Police called off the search around 6:30 p.m. without finding the man. 

Some at the scene speculated that he had left before officers arrived, though this was not confirmed.

Police sources confirmed that the man damaged the doors.

Photos from the scene also show a broken window. It was not immediately known whether anything had been taken or if there was additional damage inside.

The break-in occurred two days after neighbors, former parishioners and preservationists gathered outside the church to call for its preservation and reopening after a year-long closure.