Church Property Damage News 07/02/2023

(June 29) Suspects Charged In Connection With Vandalism At 3 Houses of Worship, Including Historic Black Church | Southeast MD

Three suspects have been charged with vandalism of multiple houses of worship in southeast Maryland, including one historic Black church that suffered approximately $100,000 in damages.

On Wednesday, Anne Arundel County Police Department officers arrested Jarren Alexander, 22, on charges of vandalism against two area churches. His alleged crimes included extensive damage to Fowler United Methodist Church (UMC), a historic Black church in Annapolis, on June 9. Alexander also is being charged in connection with two additional incidents of vandalism at nearby St. Philip’s Episcopal Church on subsequent nights.

Fowler UMC Reverend Jerome Jones briefly recounted the vandalism he saw firsthand in a press conference today. More than 100 Bibles and hymnals were destroyed, five televisions were smashed, and a large wooden cross was cracked on a pew.

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(June 29) Private Plane Crashes Near Frank Church - River Of No Return Wilderness | Valley County, ID

The Valley County Sheriff's Office told KTVB that a small private airplane crashed in the Frank Church- River of No Return Wilderness yesterday.

The office said that no one was hurt, although there was some property damage. The crash happened near the Cabin Creek Airstrip.

This story is still developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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(June 28) Fire Destroys Catholic Church On First Anniversary Of Dobbs Decision | Orlando, FL

A fire destroyed the interior of a Roman Catholic Church in Orlando, Florida, on the one-year anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that decided there is no right to abortion in the U.S. Constitution, inviting speculation that it was a deliberate attack as the cause of the blaze remains unknown.

The Incarnation Catholic Church announced on its Facebook page Sunday that “the Church building caught fire last night.” The social media post encouraged parishioners to “attend other parishes” in the area while noting that only one Sunday mass would take place in nearby Royal Hall that day. A statement published on the church’s website explained that “no further information is available on the cause at this moment,” adding that “any updates that may be shared on this matter will be made available here.”

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(June 27) Historic Black Church Devastated By Vandalism Designated as Hate Crime | Annapolis, MD

Vandals ripped pages from Bibles and hymnals, tore a cross from a wall, and caused more than $100,000 in damage in what is being considered a hate crime at a historic Black church in the capital city of Maryland.

Anne Arundel County Police Department released details of the June 9 criminal incident at Fowler United Methodist Church in Annapolis, a majority Black congregation founded in 1871. Police spokesperson Marc Limansky confirmed to The Roys Report (TRR) that police are investigating the case as a high-dollar burglary, vandalism, and hate crime.

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(June 27) Euclid Man Admits To Vandalizing Wickliffe Church | Wicklife, OH

A 37-year-old Euclid man is facing criminal charges for allegedly damaging The Stations of the Cross display at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.

Wickliffe police said the damaged happened early on Sunday, June 18.
According to officers, the damage was sustained to the crosses, benches and center statue of The Virgin Mary.

Officers tracked down the suspect after seeing his vehicle on surveillance video.

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