USA: Guard bound, safes stolen from Hindu temple

Pittsburgh (USA): Police stepped up their search Thursday for four masked robbers who bound and gagged a security guard at a Hindu temple and then made off with three safes containing $10,000 to $15,000 in cash and jewelry.

"We’re all shaken by what has happened here," said Dr. Nagu B. Krishnappa, chair of the temple’s board of trustees. "But we’re all going to move forward from this."

A prayer period that Hindus observe in the days leading to the next full moon went on as usual in Sri Venkateswara Temple on yesterday afternoon, just hours after the heist.

Police are looking into the backgrounds of people who may be familiar with the temple and its layout, including current and former employees.

"This is a little more than a crime of luck and opportunity," Penn Hills police Chief Howard Burton said. "It’s obviously someone who has some kind of working knowledge of the place."

Burton said security guard Larry Fiscus, 48, was held at gunpoint by the four men, blindfolded, bound with a cell phone charger cord and made to lie on the floor at 12:15 a.m.

One man took keys from Fiscus, entered two offices and removed three 2-and-half-foot-square safes. Fiscus managed to free himself to see the men load the safes into a car and drive away.

Worshippers were notified by e-mail about the break-in.

Raja Reddy Vangeti, the temple’s board secretary, said the thieves tried to take stereo equipment but were unsuccessful.

"The sanctity of our temple was not disturbed. We’re grateful for that," Vangeti said. "The sentimental value of everything in there you couldn’t put a price tag on."

Crimes of this nature are unheard of in this woodsy corner of Penn Hills, tucked away on a rolling hillside that overlooks the Penn Lincoln Parkway. The temple’s board recently authorized buying a security system that was to be installed this year, Krishnappa said.

Located on South McCully Drive, Sri Venkateswara Temple was one of the first traditional Hindu temples built in the United States when it opened in 1976, according to temple officials.