MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — A Maple Grove-based Hindu Society is still processing a June burglary that has shattered their community.
“This summer we had a very unfortunate burglary incident that affected our temple, among a dozen others in the Twin Cities area. Our temple we lost a little over $70,000 worth in precious metals, cash and jewelry,” said Hindu Society of Minnesota President Shajive Jeganathan.
Jeganathan said some homes of congregation members were burglarized as well.
Maple Grove police confirmed that one of the burglaries happened in July at a home on Vagabond Lane. Commander Jon Wetternach said two men they suspect of committing this crime are currently in custody.
Stefan Buzoianu, 37, is being held in Freeborn County, Minn., under an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, Wetternach said. Arthur Crudu, 27, is in custody in Orange County, Calif. on burglary charges.
Wetternach said both of them will be extradited to Hennepin County when appropriate. The two men are also wanted in Ramsey County for a July burglary at a Buddhist Temple in St. Paul where they damaged doors, cabinets, and took $200, according to the complaint.
At the Hindu Society, Jeganathan said the only area affected was the priest’s quarters, though families are still dealing with the aftermath.
“One of the priests who lived in the quarters, his son to this day complains of having nightmares of living there. He keeps waking up in the night saying ‘monster, monster’ because he assumes there is a home intruder,” Jeganathan said.
He said he believes the burglars targeted his community.
“They knew very well that our priests were not in their quarters, families were not in their quarters, so the townhomes were empty. They knew that was a service hour. They knew the priests would be in our temple and the families would not be there. It was very well planned,” Jeganathan said.
Jeganathan said they are raising money to help replace the monetary value of the items that were stolen, but it will not be the same.
“Some of these priests have items that are of spiritual value that have been passed on from generation to generation so you can’t really put a price one those things,” he said.
Authorities recovered some of the stolen items, and Jeganathan is hopeful more items will be recovered.
Since the break-in, he said they have increased security.
“We have done a tremendous amount of work to put in different security measures, both proactive and reactive measures that we can put in place,” he said.