Tag: Persecution

California woman breaks into Baptist church, rips Bibles, burns 10-foot cross

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Mug SHotA California woman faces a possible hate crime charge after she broke into a Baptist church, ripped Bibles and hymnals, and burned a 10-foot cross in the sanctuary.

Rio Vista Police say Danielle Ricafrente, 23, caused significant damage to the building of the Union Baptist Church Monday night. CBS 13 reports she was arrested on suspicion of burglary, arson of a church, felony vandalism and hate crimes against a church.

A report from The Sacramento Bee says Ricafrente also damaged musical instruments in the building.

Church Deacon Roger Benz told KCRA television He’s disappointed, willing to forgive.

The Rio Vista police department issued the following news release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/UPDATE

RIO VISTA POLICE ANNOUNCE ARREST IN CHURCH ARSON/VANDALISM

At around 9:15AM June 13, 2018, Rio Vista Police Officers responded to the Baptist Church on Sierra Drive regarding a vandalism that occurred to the interior of the Chapel. Significant damage was done to the interior of the Chapel area and a large cross behind the altar was set on fire. This crime possibly occurred between 8PM and midnight on June 12, 2018.

Rio Vista Police working with the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives developed a person of interest early in the investigation. Physical evidence has tied the person of interest to the crime scene along with video from a neighbor. Arrested for burglary, arson of a Church, felony vandalism and hate crimes against a Church was Danielle Ricafrente, age 23 of Rio Vista. Ricafrente was transported and booked into the Solano County Jail. The case will be reviewed by the US Attorney for possible federal charges.

RVPD would like to thank our federal partners for their assistance in this investigation.

Dan Dailey, Chief of Police

 

Men on bond for auto theft arrested for Alabama church vandalism

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Two Alabama men are charged in a church vandalism case involving over $50,000 in damage.

A police spokesperson said the pair broke into the Nichols Temple A.M.E. Church in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, on June 5.

WERC television reported the vandals destroyed six bathrooms and stole copper wire from the church’s A/C unit.  They also pulled pipes out of the walls and caused flooding throughout the building.

WSFA television posted surveillance videos of vandals inside the church.

Nicholas Rashad Lee, 23, and Cedric Jaquese Carter, 19, of Birmingham, are charged with burglary and criminal mischief.  Each is held on $10,000 bond according to jail records.

Jail records show both men had been previously released on bond for a non-related auto theft and sale that happened May 2018.

A motive for the vandalism has not been announced.

Ohio church building vandalized, minister’s residence “ransacked”

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Police in Bellaire, Ohio are trying to find out who vandalized a Methodist church building and ransacked the minister’s residence.

According to a report from WTRF Television, the criminals broke into the South Bellaire Methodist church building by pushing out a window air conditioner.

A police report does not list any items stolen.

A motive of the vandal or vandals is not known.

Criminals paint anti-Christian and NAZI symbols on Orange, Texas church building

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Criminals
(PHOTO: KOGT Radio)

ORANGE, TEXAS – Criminals in Orange, Texas painted a swastika, anti-Christian graffiti, and sexual images on the main building of St. Mary Catholic Church in the city’s Historic District.

According to a report from KOGT Radio,  Orange police are investigating the graffiti as a misdemeanor criminal mischief case. Orange County District Attorney John Kimbrough said the incident could be a more serious offense, but first the facts need to be gathered.

St. Mary Church has been a part of the Orange community for more than 100 years.

A motive for the vandalism has not been announced.

Vandalism suspect arrested inside Ohio church sanctuary

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(Photos: Columbus Division of Police)

Police in Columbus Ohio released body camera video from an officer arresting a man they say caused around $100,000 damage to a church Sanctuary.

A police spokesperson said Mason Christian Mayerchak, 30, of Blacklick, Ohio, was caught in the sanctuary of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Columbus just before 6 p.m. Saturday.  The spokesperson said Mayerchak appeared to be intoxicated and refused to leave when church officials asked him to go.

The first responding officer found broken glass all over the cathedral and caught Mayerchak pulling a stain glass window apart. The vandalism was also caught on surveillance video.

Mayerchak is accused of damaging a church pew, gospel stand, gospel book, vestment, alter candle sticks, tabernacle, incensor & stand, processional fans, gospel cross & a $40,000 stain glass window.

Officers say after he was placed in the cruiser he began kicking the door so his legs had to be retrained in addition to being handcuffed.

Mason Mayerchak faces a charge of vandalism.

A motive for the vandalism is not yet known.

A Church spokesperson issued the following statement:

On May 26 at approximately 5:30 PM, an individual was able to gain access into the Cathedral where he proceeded to damage a number of items in the altar area and upon the altar table – including the tabernacle, a stained glass window, the fans carried by the altar boys and more. Additionally, most (if not all) of the vigil candles were broken. Due to the cleanup efforts of our clergy and others, Divine Liturgy took place on May 27 (Pentecost) as planned.

The security cameras in the Cathedral, the alarm system and our on-site monitor captured the crime in progress and the Columbus Police Department was called. Thanks to CPD’s quick response, the individual was arrested while still in the act of vandalizing the Cathedral. We ask that you please pray for this individual, that he may see his erroneous ways and seek forgiveness.

At this time, the full extent of the damages are still being assessed and understood in part because the vandalism took place over a holiday weekend. We will continue to update the parish family as more information becomes available. This unfortunate incident is a reminder to us all that our Cathedral property is situated in a high-traffic area of Columbus. It is critical that we all remain vigilant, make sure doors are closed and locked and follow the axiom “if you see something, say something.”

In Christ,

Fr. Demetrios Gardikes
Dean of the Cathedral