Man accused of stealing over $16,000 from church in East Greenwich
EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WJAR) — East Greenwich police say a man was arrested after he allegedly stole over $16,000 from a church.
According to police, St. Luke's Episcopal Church reported on Aug. 4, 2025, that over $16,000 in checks and over $300 in cash were missing from three locked money bags stored in a locked file cabinet inside a locked office.
Officials said keys to the file cabinet and the money bags were kept in an unlocked key box nearby, which was also missing.
The police report says a witness saw a man, later identified as Stephen Gadbois of Lincoln, go to the treasure’s office before the funds were found missing.
Bank officials identified Gadbois as the person that deposited $10,019 check to his account on Aug. 4, 2025, according to police.
East Greenwich police said Gadbois admitted to depositing the check, but said the church’s treasurer gave him the check as a gift, saying “It’s your lucky day.”
The treasurer denied his claims and said the deposited check was among the missing donation money.
The police report says the treasure also told police that the checks were missing before he arrived at the church.
East Greenwich police said Gadbois is facing two counts of larceny charges.
According to court documents, he was released on personal recognizance at his arraignment.
Gadbois is expected to be back in court next Monday.
