STAFF
The congregation at St. Anne-des-Pins in Sudbury have been the victims of repeated vandalism at the church. The most recent incident involved decapitation of a statue of Mary and the baby Jesus, and damage to the church building and air conditioner. The statues were damaged by vandals in previous incidents.
Sainte-Anne-des-Pins was established as a mission 1883.
No motive is known for the criminal acts.
STAFF
A juvenile has been identified as a person of interest in three church fires and vandalism in Montgomery County, Maryland. Sheriff’s office investigators believe the teen is responsible damaging the churches between July 8-10.
St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church and North Bethesda United Methodist Church were damaged by fire. A cemetery next to the Wildwood Baptist Church was vandalized, and a large cross was stolen from the church.
The suspect’s identity is not released because of his or her age. The matter has been turned over to juvenile authorities.
(Photo: Stateline Area Crime Stoppers)
STAFF
A congregation in Stephenson County, Illinois had to spend time cleaning obscene graffiti off of the church walls after vandals damaged the building in the late-night hours.
A sheriff’s office news release says the vandalism was discovered around 8 a.m. on July 14 at the Cedarville Baptist Church. The spokesperson said there were no other reports of vandalism in the area.
Investigators have not yet determined a motive for the criminal act.
JEFF TURNER
Officers in the US have arrested a man for hate crimes after they say the suspect was caught on video smashing a window at a church before running off.
Video from surveillance cameras at Community Church of Christ in Queens, New York was posted to the police department’s Crime Stoppers twitter account shortly after the damage was reported.
Police say the damage was done Tuesday, March 8. Video from the church and other evidence, led police to Tonnie Smith, 32, of Queens. He has been charged with criminal mischief and aggravated harassment. Both are listed as hate crimes in the State of New York.
Janet Johnson-Tremblay
A congregation in the US has few answers as to why someone would smash stained glass windows and steal the altar Bible and a wooden cross. The damage was discovered Thursday at the Handsboro United Methodist Church in Mississippi.
“Sad to report that the sanctuary was vandalized. One of our beautiful stained glass windows was broken and the Bible on the altar and wooden cross Mr. Sam Krohn built were taken. It is unfortunate that people have the nerve to do such a thing to a church,” says a post to the church’s Facebook page.
Pastor John McCay told MagnoliaStateLive that the items stolen were of, “great sentimental value” to the church. WLOX Television reports a vandal or vandals recently damaged other churches in the area.
Police have yet not determined a motive of the person or persons who damaged the church buildings.
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