Video shows mob ransacking Church of Scientology in Midtown

MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- Detectives are reviewing video after a large group of young people stormed and ransacked parts of the Church of Scientology in Midtown Manhattan on Saturday afternoon, an incident the church described as a coordinated attack.

The video, captured around 4:30 p.m., shows a crowd moving through Midtown and near East 46th Street, where police say the group broke into the church during a seminar.

One woman who filmed the group on Eighth Avenue said she was afraid to pass by.

"I didn't want to pass by them too close, so my instincts were to cross the street," the woman said.

Police said they are examining several videos from the scene.

Angel Guerrero, a witness who was nearby, said he became concerned as the group approached a business.

"I told the bartender to close the doors... I was worried for her because she was by herself," Guerrero said.

Guerrero said about 25 young people entered the building and damaged parts of it. Video shows members of the group on the roof, recording their actions and later posting the footage on social media.

The incident appears to follow a recent trend of vandals targeting property owned by the religious group, often acting quickly in what is sometimes referred to as "speed running."

In a statement to Eyewitness News, the Church of Scientology called the incident "a coordinated attack," describing it as organized trespassing that took place while a seminar was underway.

"They came out with a fire extinguisher, blew up the front with smoke," Guerrero said.

Additional video shows the group running toward Times Square. At one point, a knife appears to fall to the ground, and a man who appears to be with the group is seen picking it up.

"I got little kids, they could get in the middle of these kids, and these kids aren't thinking anymore," Guerrero said.

Police were stationed outside the church following the incident. The church said one employee was slightly injured and another was subjected to a racial slur.

Another witness characterized the actions seen in the video as reckless behavior.

"Kids being stupid and making bad decisions, getting into trouble, and trying to get away with it," the witness said.

The investigation remained ongoing on Sunday.

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