Man charged with stealing from priest

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A Springfield man has been charged with stealing from an elderly, retired Catholic priest.

Frank Gruber, 59, was charged last week with eight counts of elder exploitation.

The investigation began after the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Catholic Diocese notified police of concerns about Gruber's treatment of the priest, police spokesman Rick Bookout said.

Bookout said that over several years, Gruber took over the priest's finances, then allegedly used the money for himself. The priest's name was not released.

Stealing charges are not felonies unless at least $500 is stolen, Bookout said. The charges against Gruber are felonies.