Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN

This is the moment a man allegedly steals a praying woman’s phone from her handbag inside a church before blessing himself with the sign of the cross on the way out.

The incident was filmed at the San Antonio Maria Claret Church in the neighbourhood of Urdesa in the port city of Guayaquil in the western Ecuadorian province of Guayas and later shared on Facebook where it has been viewed 21,000 times.

In the CCTV footage, the female victim is seen praying in the church as a heavyset man in a blue jumper is sitting on the pew behind her.

Pictures Credit: CEN

The suspect brazenly dips his hand into the handbag as the woman prays with her eyes closed and he then removes her phone.

The middle-aged man then appears to put the victim’s device inside his plastic bag before getting to his feet and walking away.

He then touches something on the wall by the altar, presumably an image of Christ, and then crosses himself before leaving.

According to local media, the incident has been reported to the local authorities, but no arrests have been made so far.

The investigation continues.

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