Brown Deer Police investigating separate car thefts at church, Party City

BROWN DEER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Brown Deer Police are investigating two car thefts over Easter weekend that they believe are related.

Police responded to St. Mark Lutheran Church around 8 p.m. after a 76-year-old Germantown woman called to report that her 200 Jeep Cherokee was stolen without the keys while she was at church.

"She is a widow lady who is a very faithful member of our congregation and involved in virtually every aspect of our church's ministry," said Pastor Michael Feuerstahler of St. Mark Lutheran Church said. 

Feuerstahler finds the vehicle theft ironic. 

"When are worshipers were hearing Jesus' words of comfort to the repentant thief, today you'll be with me in paradise, somebody was committing an act of thievery," Feuerstahler said. 

A witness reported seeing the vehicle around 7:30 p.m. speeding southbound on N. 60th Street.

"There actually was a gentleman who saw two vehicles tear out of our parking lot around 7:30," Feuerstahler said. 

The woman tells CBS58 that police have recovered her vehicle and it has damage.

Police believe that the church car theft is related to another theft that happened Friday evening at Party City. A 65-year-old Mequon woman called the police to report that her purse and car were stolen from the parking lot shortly before 8 p.m.

The woman said that she was shopping for about seven minutes when she returned to the lot and noticed that her burgundy Dodge Caravan was missing. 

The investigation remains ongoing.

Stay with CBS 58 News for more information on this developing story.