Two men were arrested in connection with the theft of religious items that were stolen from St. John's Episcopal Church last week. Lori Chung has the details.

TROY, N.Y. -- "It's good to have them back," said Father Steve Schlossberg of St. John's Episcopal Church. "It feels a little bit like Easter.

Troy police said it was a call from police in New Have, Connecticut, that ultimately led to the stolen silver from St. John's Episcopal Church.

Troy Police Captain John Cooney said, "Superior Exchange had two males show up in their business with a bag full of silver."

Police said Joseph Plouffe, 32, and James Zaremski, 30, tried to unload the items there, claiming they were insurance workers and had found them on a job site. We're told this wasn't their first stop. The men allegedly sold a few pieces to a pawn shop in Albany for $330, but revealing some important information.

Cooney said, "They got legitimate identification from the subjects selling the sterling silver."

The silver was taken right from the church's alter. Police said the suspects tried to file away engravings to hide the items' true origin, going so far as to fold a 70-year-old collection plate in half.

Troy Police Officer and Deacon Paul Carney said, "I don't know if a silversmith would be able to restore this. As you can see, it's pretty well damaged."

But despite that, church leaders say they're happy the items have been found, but they are making changes to make sure something like this doesn't happen again.

"How we can make our building more secure and still make it a place where the community is free to enter," said Father Schlossberg.

The receipt from the pawn shop in Albany is part of a process mandated in the city. It's something Troy police are pushing to be implemented in their city as well.