BOSTON -- A 76-year-old priest was robbed at Holliston's Our Lady of Fatima Shrine on Sunday as he collected a donation box.

Priest Robbed At Shrine

The Rev. Gerard Furlan said he was collecting the donation box from the shrine's Chapel of Lights at about 6 p.m. Sunday when a man in his 30s approached him.

"I thought he wanted to ask a question. Instead, he grabbed my box of money and ran away," Furlan said.

Furlan estimated that the box contained about $500 in donations.

"I tried to run after him, but I am old and he is young. He runs faster," Furlan said.

The man ran to a waiting van, which then sped off. Witnesses described the vehicle as a dark-colored Chevy van with lines and decals on the side with Florida license plates. A woman was driving and another man was a passenger.

"We're thankful no one got hurt. But at the same time, we are looking for any help from the public to solve this crime," Holliston Police Lt. Keith Edison said.

Shortly before the donation box robbery, a woman picnicking on the Summer Street shrine's grounds reported that food was stolen from her car.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call Holliston Police at 508-429-1212.