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Mar 21, 2008 11:34 pm US/Eastern
Vandal Defaces Several Gardner Churches
GARDNER (WBZ) ―
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A vandal writes "you brainwashed zombies" on the wall of the United Methodist Church.
WBZ
Police are looking for a vandal who defaced several churches overnight.
According to Gardner police, the suspect spray painted "words of a blasphemous reference to Christ" on six separate churches: The Sacred Heart Church on Cross St., the Bethany Baptist on Ryan St., the Holy Spirit on Lovewell St., Our Lady of The Holy Rosary on Nichols St., St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Cross St. and the United Methodist Church on Chestnut St.
A seventh church in Philipston, the Congregational Church, was also defaced, police said, along with a public high school in neighboring Templeton.
Police said they believe the same culprit is responsible for the vandalism at all locations.
"Comparing all the photographs and handwriting style and black paint, we immediately concluded it was perpetrated by a single person or the same group," said Lt. Gerald Poirier with the Gardner Police Department.
The first incident was reported by a parishioner attending a late night service at the Sacred Heart Church. Officials said when it was found, the paint was still wet, so it was quickly removed.
Initially, police thought the vandalism was an isolated incident, but on Friday morning, they were alerted about the anti-Christian writing found on the other churches.
"We look at this as being a very irresponsible act, an immature act and we pray for the people, forgive them," said Deacon Stanley Baczewski with Holy Spirit Church.
"It sounds like the work of someone who's extremely angry at religion for whatever reason," said Father Andre Dargis with Lady of the Holy Rosary. "It invites us to have a response which is worthy of Jesus and of the Gospel."
Anyone with information is asked to call Gardner police at 978-632-5600 ext. 148. A $1,000 reward is being offered in the case for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprit.
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