NEW YORK — Authorities in New York City are on the lookout for an individual suspected of taking a gold-plated rose from a memorial at a church dedicated to the 9/11 victims.

The decorative piece had been prominently displayed at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, which is associated with the late Father Mychal Judge, who tragically lost his life during the 9/11 attacks while he was praying for both victims and rescuers as rubble fell around him.

According to reports from police, the incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when the suspect entered the iconic church located in Midtown and took the rose from its memorial base. Surveillance images captured the man as he held the elongated artwork outside the church on the sidewalk. As of Thursday, no one had apprehended him, and he is being sought for grand larceny, according to law enforcement officials.

Father Judge served as a chaplain for the New York Fire Department and was instrumental in establishing one of the earliest Catholic ministries catering to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. He was praying in the north tower’s lobby when the south tower collapsed, leading to his untimely death caused by the falling debris.

After his passing, many of his supporters have called upon the Catholic Church to consider him for sainthood, citing his advocacy for greater inclusivity within the U.S. Catholic Church, particularly for the LGBTQ community.

Efforts to reach the church for a response have not yet garnered a reply.