# Police Capture Thief Who Stole, Then Destroyed Bones Belonging To Saint Nicholas From Iconic Church

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/police-capture-thief-who-stole-then-destroyed-bones-belonging-to-saint-nicholas-from-iconic-church/
- Published: 2026-11-09T15:24:26+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T17:12:53+00:00
- Original publisher: The Daily Caller (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://dailycaller.com/2026/11/09/suspect-stole-burned-bones-st-nicholas-relic-french-basilica-arrested-santa-claus
- Topics: Europe, Politics, World

## Key points

- A suspect was arrested over the alleged theft and destruction of St Nicholas relics.
- The bones were taken from a Lorraine basilica on 28 October.
- A psychiatric assessment found the suspect legally responsible.

## Summary

French police have arrested an unnamed suspect accused of stealing and destroying bones attributed to St Nicholas from the Basilica of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port in Lorraine. The relic’s loss has drawn attention because it had been kept at the basilica for centuries and is part of the region’s religious history.

The alleged theft took place on 28 October, and the parish priest reported it on 2 November, prompting a police investigation. The suspect reportedly said he smashed the case and acted out of a desire to destroy the relic; he allegedly burned and crushed the bones. A psychiatric assessment found him legally responsible, and the relic had been brought to Lorraine in 1098.

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