Couple Held in Burglary of Churches : Crime: Husband and wife are suspected in more than 100 cases in the county. Police say churches were an easy mark.

A husband and wife who allegedly stole crucifixes, statues and other valuables from more than 100 churches in Los Angeles County communities were in custody Saturday, Long Beach police said.

Authorities arrested Nancy Cox, 48, on suspicion of burglary and receiving stolen property after a search of the couple’s South Gate apartment turned up a 14-inch statue of the Virgin Mary, radios and other items believed to have been stolen.

Her husband, Steven Cox, was already in Los Angeles County Jail in connection with an unrelated early morning restaurant burglary in South Gate. Police found the 37-year-old man, who had a previous conviction for burglarizing three South Gate churches, hiding under a table in the restaurant and eating a slice of pie, South Gate Police Detective Sgt. Scott Attebery said.

Authorities believe the couple entered churches in Bellflower, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Artesia and other communities in recent months by picking locks and shattering windows.

“It wasn’t strictly religious-oriented or anything,” said Long Beach Police Detective Sgt. Mike Woodward. “They were stealing to obtain money or something of value they could obtain money for. . . . There were gift certificates, small items that could be easily sold and miscellaneous personal items.

“We think the churches were targeted because they were very easy marks.”