The Sri Maha Lakshmi Temple in Cumming will now require Non-Hindus to present a government ID before entering the building.

CUMMING, Ga. — Authorities continue searching for the people who stole $15,000 worth of jewelry from Sri Maha Lakshmi Temple last Thursday.

“They make us [look] foolish because we believed them,” Chief Priest Keshava Murthy said. “They looked like very innocent people.”

The theft took place on May 16th, but Murthy says everything actually started the previous Saturday, May 11th, when two adults and two children showed up at the temple. According to Murthy, the adult male started taking pictures of the jewelry, despite many signs stating no photography is allowed.

“Our priest went to them and said, ‘don’t take the picture,’” Murthy said. “The priest left for another service. At that time, the guy goes close to all the sanctums, he took the pictures where the gold is veiled on the neck of the goddesses.”

The man eventually left but returned on May 16th with a new group. During this visit, another adult male can be seen on surveillance video distracting the priest while the others start stealing 24 karat gold necklaces from the deities.

“They started the robbery as quick as possible,” Murthy said. “If the gold chain with the pendant did not come out, they're pulling and cutting the chains, then immediately putting them in their pockets.”

Murthy says he is saddened by the recent events and is now forced to change certain policies at the temple. A temple in Clayton County reported a similar crime in the days after.

“A lot of Americans come in here, and Indians come in here. We are welcoming of everybody,” Murthy says. “We don't know which person is like this. Now, we have to take care with non-Hindus coming into our Temple, and we have to look at a proper ID and proper information.”

Anyone with information on the theft is encouraged to contact the Forsyth County Sheriff’ Office.