30-Apr-18 – Two guards who worked for a politically-connected security company have been charged with stealing up to $100,000 from Holy Name Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, located at 730 North Wabash Avenue in River North.

Artemio Calderon, age 25, and Jarrell Patterson, age 22, used a key to enter the church at 7:30 p.m. on April 15, according to Chicago police, and once inside, gained access to a safe and removed cash.

They are accused of doing this over three other weekends, as well. Calderon (far left) and Patterson.

Both men were identified through video surveillance and taken into custody on Sunday. They are each charged with one felony count of burglary of a house of worship. Bail was set at $10,000 on Monday afternoon.

In an email to parishioners last week, Very Reverend Gregory Sakowicz said “evidence of repeated criminal trespass at the Cathedral offices” had been discovered during an audit of donations to the church. An investigation began in early April after donations during weekly services repeatedly fell short. Losses, reportedly, are estimated at between $80,000 and $100,000.

Trouble for security firm in at least three states

Calderon, who lives in the 4700 block of South Damen Avenue, and Patterson, from the 600 block of East 87th Place, both worked for Monterrey Security, at least at one time. Patterson was fired in January. The Chicago-based company had been Holy Name Cathedral’s security firm for six years but has since been let go.

Last October, Monterrey lost its contract to protect U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Richard Hodsdon, chairman of the Minnesota Private Detective and Protective Services Agency Board, said at the time that Monterrey had “hundreds and hundreds and hundreds” of security personnel not properly trained and licensed under Minnesota law.

The company was spiked by the Buffalo Bills’ stadium managers after Monterrey’s application for a license was rejected by New York state officials. And the Chicago Cubs recently replaced Monterrey with Andy Frain Services at Wrigley Field.

The company continues to enjoy political connections and lucrative contracts with Chicago Marathon, Lollapalooza, Navy Pier, Soldier Field, and most of the city’s major street festivals.