(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – An Addison man allegedly stole $700 in donations from a church where he had served as a leader, DuPage County prosecutors said.
Authorities say suspicions fell on Peter Barkoulies, 68, a former parish president of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst, after money was removed in December and January from a memorial table where parishioners could insert donations through a slot. Barkoulias had a key to access the money that he did not return after leaving his post in 2021, officials said.
He allegedly stole $700 and was charged this week with four counts of burglary to a place of worship. A judge on Friday set his bond at $100,000, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office said.
“The allegations against Mr. Barkoulies are very disheartening,” State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “As parish President, Mr. Barkoulies was entrusted with the well-being of the parish. He allegedly betrayed that trust by treating the parish’s memorial table as his own personal piggy bank."
Barkoulies is next expected in court March 1.
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