May 15 (UPI) -- Dallas police on Wednesday raided the local headquarters for the Catholic diocese and two other buildings associated with the church, looking for records and evidence related to a child sex abuse case, officials said.
Police served search warrants and retrieved documents from the diocese, the St. Cecilia Catholic Church and a storage center, Dallas Police Department Major Max Geron told reporters.
Authorities said Wednesday's raid stems from an investigation into longtime St. Cecilia pastor Edmundo Paredes, who was accused of abusing three teenage boys more than a decade ago. Paredes is also accused of stealing from the church. An arrest warrant has been issued for Paredes, but he hasn't been taken into custody. He's believed to be in the Philippines.
Investigators said they've identified at least five other victims, and urged more to come forward.
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"We want to thank those who have come forward with information in these cases," Geron said.
Officials said the searches might help detectives find evidence of more victims.
All Texas dioceses published lists of clergy members of "credibly accused" of sexual abuse of minors since 1950.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests applauded authorities Wednesday.
"We are glad that police and prosecutors are taking the issue of clergy abuse in Texas seriously and are not just relying on the promises of church officials," the group said in a statement.
"This raid today sheds more light on the clergy abuse scandal ... and will uncover the full truth of who knew what, when they knew it and what steps church officials took in response."
