St Mary’s of Winfield
Oct. 16, 2017 By Christian Murray
A homeless man was sentenced to 1 ½ to 4 ½ years in prison Friday for burglarizing four Queens houses of worship as a hate crime, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office.
Joseph Woznik, 24, admitted that he broke into houses of worship in Flushing, Woodside and Elmhurst to “get back at God.” He stole cash, checks and damaged various items belonging to the religious institutions.
Woznik pleaded guilty last month to third-degree burglary as a hate crime and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, among other charges, according to the DA’s office.
“The defendant sought to enrich himself as well as to strike vengeance on God by stealing from the religious institutions,” said Queens District Attorney Richard A Brown.
The first burglary took place on March 21 at Bangladesh Hindu Mandir Temple in Flushing, according to the DA’s office.
A temple employee discovered that three donation boxes had been forced open, and that the cash inside was missing. Fingerprints lifted from the donation boxes were a match for Woznik.
Woznik then burglarized St. Joseph Episcopal Church in Flushing three times.
On March 24, he pried open the office door at the church and took $1,600. On April 3, he broke through the office door again and ransacked the office, taking a digital camera. On April 10, Woznik broke into the office and took three checks from the church’s checkbook.
That same day, April 10, Woznik broke into St. Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church in Elmhurst but fled when the church alarm went off. He also went that day to Blessed Virgin Mary Help of Christians (St. Mary’s of Winfield) in Woodside and ransacked the office.
The St. Mary’s donation box had pry marks, and there was a hammer on the floor beside it, according to the DA’s office. Surveillance footage captured Woznik walking around the church and prying open the donation box with a hammer. After he was arrested, Wozniak also admitted that he had taken $20 from beneath a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Woznik explained his actions at the time of his arrest.
“I’m mad at God,” he said. “I don’t like church no more. I don’t want to deal with religion. I’m sick and tired of hearing about religion. I don’t break into houses, only churches.”
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15 Comments
There should be a cage match between Fat Al from sunnyside and El Loco. The new Craft Beer Place would be a good venue for that.
My opinion matters.
If there was a god, he’d forgive this man, not put him in the clink.
This is why I ride a harly and worship satin.
El Loco needs to keep his trap shut. Al now is with the Oran Juice Jones Crew. He recently got his button. El Loco can go back to Barbara on 39 Place and cool for her. He is no longer welcomed at Lilys place.
If he would have burglarized Al from Sunnyside’s apartment he would have been getting back at the devil.
homeless man now has a home
This young homeless man clearly has mental problems. The houses of worships should of asked the judge to offer him some type of psychological therapy/treatment while he is in prison or offered him the therapy with probation.
If I’m deluded and hate something that doesn’t exist, I get a stiffer penalty than if I’d just robbed any random place? That’s pretty stupid.
I always say crime no pay.
I’m sorry Bulimac Panda was deported!!! I miss him & his sensible wit!
Well, well, well… It’s now a matter of time for atheists to protect themselves from the hatred of religious people. I’m not an atheist, but I have a feeling that it will happen.
Excuse me, God, but *I’m* the creator or It All. I can see where this guy is mad at you. You sometimes irritate me.
Pray for him.
Got what he deserved. Don’t mess with me!
That’s what i’m here for. Who want’s seconds? Me first, me first!