By Carl Michael

WORRIED Katie Holmes is convinced she is under surveillance by private investigators hired by Scientologists

Two mystery men were first spotted allegedly keeping watch on her at Tom Cruise’s New York home — days BEFORE she filed for divorce from him.

And when Katie and daughter Suri, six, moved to a secret apartment in the Chelsea district of the city, the creepy pair suddenly appeared outside.

A source said: “About three days before the divorce was announced a Mercedes SUV was sitting outside Tom’s apartment in Greenwich Village.

“They were sat about a hundred yards from the house — a couple of suspicious-looking characters in sunglasses.

“When Katie came out they tried to discreetly follow her. It was obvious they weren’t paparazzi or Press.

“They looked like former military or police and were carrying a small pocket digital camera.
“Then when it emerged Katie had rented a new place in the Chelsea area they were watching that too.” Katie believes the Church of Scientology is spying on her because it sees her as a threat in the wake of her break-up with Cruise — the cult’s most famous believer.

She was so spooked by the presence of the “spies” she asked her security people to take pictures of them and called the police. The source added: “Katie’s security came out and started recording the men.

“Then police were called and went to the car to ask them what they were doing.”

A second car — a white Cadillac SUV — has also been allegedly used to keep watch on Katie, 33.
It was yesterday parked at a bus stop directly outside the apartment building entrance — with four middle-aged men inside.

Asked what they were doing, one of the men replied: “We’re waiting for someone off the bus.”

When it was pointed out they had been there for days, he added: “They still haven’t got off the bus.”

Two other men — thought to be associates of the four in the car — were seen walking around the building taking pictures.

An NYPD patrol car later turned up and an officer said they had a report about a suspicious vehicle and were about to run a check on the Cadillac’s number plate

She has filed for divorce in New York because she has a better chance of getting sole custody there than in California, where Scientology has more influence.

The source said: “Katie just wants the best for Suri. This is awful for her but she is being very brave. It’s a terrifying situation for Katie.

Katie made her move now because Suri is six — the age at which Scientology takes a lead role in the education and religious teaching of children.

The actress believes Scientologists put investigators on her tail after realising her relationship with Cruise was breaking down.

The religion — set up by sci-fi writer L Ron Hubbard in 1953 — has previously been accused of harassing former members who try to break away.
Two sisters who quit the Church after 20 years claimed they were intimidated when they tried to start a new life.

And former top-ranking Scientologist Marty Rathbun was allegedly harassed in his home.

Cruise himself is even reported to have been kept under surveillance during a period in which he distanced himself from the cult.

Batman Begins star Katie wed 49-year-old Cruise five years ago. She is his third wife.

Katie was raised as a Catholic. Yesterday locals in Katie’s home town of Toledo, Ohio — where her parents still live — said they were delighted she was breaking away from Cruise and his cult. A family source said: “We’re glad she’s returning to our church.

“We’re sad Katie faces becoming a single parent but we know she was overshadowed by Tom and didn’t share his Scientology beliefs.

“She was raised a Catholic and no doubt she’ll want to bring up Suri in the church of her childhood.”

Scientology insiders claim the Church arranged their marriage and Katie was “auditioned” for the role of Cruise’s wife. When they married in Italy, Scientology leader David Miscavige was the best man.

Related articles

• Katie Holmes fears Scientologists have hired private investigators to spy on her (thesun.co.uk)
• Katie Holmes Believes Scientology Is Tailing Her (news.softpedia.com)