Church Statue Vandalism Caught On Camera
DENVER (CBS4) - A surveillance camera clearly caught a man bashing a statue outside St. Francis of Assisi Polish National Catholic Church in Denver.
The church on South Jersey Street has been hit by vandals twice before, but officials there think they have a good chance of catching the vandals this time. Multiple cameras look right at the statue that was attacked, and each one got great shots of the vandalism Sunday night.
Two vandals took their time -- nearly 10 minutes -- repeatedly beating on the statue of St. Francis, and celebrating their biggest hits as they defaced the idol piece by piece.
Father John Kalabokes watched the video all day Monday with disappointment.
"They came here with a hammer in their hand. They knew what they were coming to do," he said.
The suspects almost completely removed the statue's head, breaking St. Francis' outstretched hand and knocking iron birds off the railing that had been welded on. The same statue was desecrated twice before in 2010 and 2012, and Father Kalabokes believes it is the same people this time.
"I don't believe it's anybody that attends here or that I know. ... I mean I may be really surprised," he said.
After attacking the statue the two suspects broke in through a back window, breaking a plaque in the church's kitchen. Investigators also found what might have been a make-shift incendiary device on a grill and took it into custody.
"Who knows what drives somebody to this, but there has to be an inward hate. There's got to be," said Kalabokes.
The suspects appear to be in their late teens or early 20s. The church hopes police can get a better view of the suspects in the video and catch them.
The church said the total damage is a few thousand dollars, and they will repair the statue. They also ask that anyone with information come forward.