When we recall lady-heists and women-grifterss we think: Thelma and Louise, Diamond Doris and Barbara Erni (aka The Golden Boos).

We don’t think of two nuns on the run à la Sister Act.

But that’s exactly what two unruly novitiates, Sisters Mary Margaret Kreuper and Lana Chang, have been accused of, after embezzling a “substantial” amount of money from tuition and other funds from a Catholic school to pay for gambling trips to Las Vegas. Yes, you read that correctly. 

According to church officials, the two women have been embezzling money from school tuition fees and donations to Saint James School near Los Angeles for at least a decade.

The alleged theft was only discovered when the pair retired this year following a routine audit whenever an outgoing principal leaves. The total amount is still being calculated but reports have claimed that the figure is around $500,000 (£400,000).

In a letter to parents, Monsignor Michael Meyers described the sum as substantial. “This matter came to our attention during financial reviews in connection with the change in leadership at our school,” he said, according to the Guardian. 

Both nuns have confessed to the heist-like crime. Meyers said both had acknowledged the theft, apologised and are co-operating with the investigation. The two women and their order, the Sisters of St Joseph of Carondelet, have agreed to pay back all of the money.

“Sister Mary Margaret and Sister Lana have expressed to me, and asked that I convey to you, the deep remorse they each feel for their actions and ask for your forgiveness and prayers,” Meyers said in his letter. “They and their order pray that you have not lost trust or faith in the educators and administrators of the school.”

Neither has been charged with a crime.

But that doesn’t mean people haven’t taken to Twitter to champion a movie being made in their honour: 

And some of the children’s parents haven’t been surprised at all by the accusation. Taking to social media, several did wonder how they managed all those trips to Sin City…

But as we look to 2019, it’s fair to say the ladies have kicked that bad habit once and for all.

Images: Getty