3 churches vandalized with anti-Christian statements in Far Rockaway
FAR ROCKAWAY, Queens (WABC) -- Police in Queens are searching for the vandal who targeted three churches in Queens with anti-Christian messages.
The vandalism all took place on Sunday, October 5 during the early morning hours.
And in one case, the suspect also broke two statues.
The vandal was spotted on video painting anti-Christian statements on the facade of The Refuge Church of Christ on Mott Avenue at 1:40 a.m.
The next target for the vandal was The City of Oasis Church of Deliverance also on Mott Avenue at 1:44 a.m.
The last known vandalism happened at 2 a.m. at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church on New Haven Avenue.
This time the suspect painted not only on the facade of the church, but also on the faces of two religious statues on the church's property.
The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the crimes.
The Diocese of Brooklyn, which covers Brooklyn and Queens, released a statement on the crimes saying:
"The Diocese of Brooklyn is grateful to the NYPD for their continued diligence and investigation in this matter. The vandalism and desecration discovered at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Far Rockaway last month was absolutely disgraceful. We continue to pray for the responsible individual, as well as for greater religious tolerance in our city."
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
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