White Settlement Police are searching for several suspects in the robbery of a local Buddhist temple, according to the department.

Wat Busayadhammvanaram, a Buddhist temple in White Settlement, was reportedly robbed by eight individuals. Witnesses told WFAA that there were nine people in total, but only eight entered the temple.

“We let them come in, and he asked the monk to pray for his brother because his brother had cancer,” said temple member Sulee Adams of one of the suspects, speaking to WFAA.

At the time of the robbery on November 20, Saravut Pumcharoen, a monk, and one other temple member were present. Pumcharoen said that three women had blocked him from leaving the prayer room and distracted the other member.

“He already had a feeling something is not right [at] that time,” said Adams, translating for Pumcharoen. “He was confused and scared and didn’t know what to do.”

The thieves made off with $38,000 in cash, according to White Settlement Police Chief Christopher Cook.

“They’re really preying upon these facilities,” said Cook speaking to WFAA. “It’s very unfortunate that somebody would prey upon a faith-based organization like our Buddhist temple.”

The theft is a felony.

White Settlement Police have contacted other law enforcement agencies regarding thefts at other Buddhist temples. Officers are working with local communities and several other states reporting similar burglaries inside temples.

One connection Cook found was the getaway van, which was reportedly stolen from Dallas and had fake paper tags displayed. Cook believes the van was used in a Fort Worth robbery as well as the White Settlement robbery.

The Arlington Police Department also spotted the van at an apartment complex in East Arlington and is assisting White Settlement Police in the investigation, according to Cook. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the case as well.

Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to contact the White Settlement Police Department at (817) 246-7070.