NYPD Hate Crime Task Force investigates vandalism at Brooklyn church
Police released the video on Sunday but said the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 20.
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The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is investigating a vandalism incident at a Catholic church in Brooklyn.
Surveillance video shows an individual who climbed over a gate at Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen Church in Carroll Gardens, then ripped out a light fixture and threw it in the street.
Police released the video on Sunday but said the incident happened around 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 20.
"That really shocked me," said Jimmy Crupi, of Carroll Gardens, after News 12 showed him the video. "I've never seen anything like that. This is a church. People come to pray. They don't come to destroy it."
"If it's your home, you want people to take it seriously," said Louis Di Meglio, of Carroll Gardens. "The last thing that anybody wants is for something like this to happen and for it to be swept under the rug."
The Diocese of Brooklyn released the following statement to News 12: "The Diocese of Brooklyn thanks the NYPD for its ongoing work to address vandalism against houses of worship, including the recent incident at Sacred Heart St. Stephen's. The rise in hate crimes across our city is deeply troubling, and we urge people of all faiths to unite in prayer for a more tolerant society."
A diocesan spokesperson said the same person is believed to be responsible for another incident at the same church on July 22, where they allegedly stole the Vatican flag from the flagpole and broke three other outdoor lights, causing more than $300 in damages.
