Columbus, Ohio – Parish- ioners tackled a gunman suspected of snatching purses from the faithful during Mass, the pastor and police said.
One man suffered lacerations to his head and face during the struggle at Christ the King Catholic Church on Sunday morning, police said.
Wendell K. Hollingsworth, 43, Celeste M. Smith, 51, were arrested and each face charges of aggravated robbery at the church, police said. They were being held in the Franklin County jail Monday, awaiting a bail hearing.
The pair walked into the service and grabbed purses as Hollingsworth displayed a handgun and said, “This is a robbery,” police said.
Hollingsworth was tackled as parishioners called police on cellphones. Smith was arrested outside the church, police said.
“Our parishioners are not about to let anyone defile their church,” said the Rev. Michael Lumpe.
