On a Sunday morning in Far Rockaway, Queens, a parishioner attempted to rob a Catholic deacon at knifepoint before the church service. Deacon Adalberto Montero managed to calm down the knife-wielding man, later identified as Miguel Bonano, 64, and convinced him to put away the weapon. Despite the tense situation, Montero handled the encounter with composure and managed to de-escalate the situation.
Bonano, a regular attendee at the church, typically sat quietly in the fifth row during services. However, on this particular day, he approached Deacon Montero demanding money with a knife in hand. Montero urged him to put the knife away, emphasizing the potential harm to both himself and Bonano. After the failed robbery attempt, Bonano returned to his seat in the church as if nothing had happened.
Law enforcement authorities were called to the scene, and Bonano was apprehended. He confessed to attempting the robbery and was charged with both attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. This incident was not Bonano’s first brush with the law, as he has a long history of criminal offenses dating back to the late 1980s.
Despite the shocking turn of events, Deacon Montero expressed hope that Bonano would not return to the church. While he maintained an open-door policy for all parishioners, Montero acknowledged the need to keep a close eye on individuals like Bonano. The safety and well-being of the church community remain a top priority for Montero and the church staff.
As Bonano awaits his court appearance, the congregation at St. Gertrude and St. Mary Star of the Sea continues to gather for worship and support each other through challenging times. The resilience and faith of the community shine through, even in the face of adversity.
