By Dee Longfellow
According to a release issued on Friday, Feb. 3 by DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean, a former parish President of the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst had been charged with stealing approximately $700 from church memorial donations.
Peter Barkoulies, 68, of Addison, appeared before Judge Margaret O’Connell who set bond at $100,000 with 10% to apply. Barkoulies has been charged with four counts of Burglary to a Place of Worship, a Class 1 Felony.
According to the release, located inside the church is a memorial table where parishioners insert money through a slot as a free-will offering. Barkoulies had served as parish President from 2019-21 and in that role, he was given a key to the memorial box during that time. The key is typically passed from president to president at the completion of their term. It was later determined that Barkoulies had never returned the key at the end of his service, as required.
According to the investigation, it is alleged that on four separate occasions between the dates of Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022, and Tuesday, Jan. 25, Barkoulies accessed the money slot in the memorial table with the key that he had not returned. It is alleged that in all, Barkoulies stole approximately $700 from the church. Barkoulies’ alleged thefts were discovered when church officials grew suspicious when they discovered funds were missing from the memorial table contributions. On Friday afternoon, leaders in the church contacted the Elmhurst Police Department, which began an investigation, after which Barkoulies was located and taken into custody.
“The allegations against Mr. Barkoulies are very disheartening,” Berlin said. “As parish President, Mr. Barkoulies was entrusted with the well-being of the parish. He allegedly betrayed that trust by treating the parish’s memorial table as his own personal piggy bank.
“I thank authorities at St. Demetrious for bringing this matter to the attention of law enforcement. I also thank the Elmhurst Police Department.”
“Mr. Barkoulies’ alleged betrayal of trust to this religious institution is very disappointing,” Chief McLean said. “However, the church community should be thankful for the proactive cooperation between church leadership, the Elmhurst Police Department, and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office to stop these thefts from continuing and bring the individual allegedly responsible to justice.”
Barkoulies’ next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1, for arraignment in front of Judge O’Connell.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
