Property Damage News 09/24/2023

(September 21) Iowa Teen Arrested For Hate Crimes After Allegedly Spraying Homophobic Slurs On Churches During Pride Festival | Decorah, IA

An Iowa teen was charged with hate crimes Wednesday after police say he spray-painted homophobic slurs on two churches and several other buildings during his town's Pride Festival.

Caeden-Philip Nyanjenga, 18, was arrested and charged with felony counts of criminal mischief and criminal mischief-hate crime, according to online court records.

The teen also faces a misdemeanor charge of trespassing with intent to commit a hate crime.

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(September 20) Escambia County Church Destroyed In Fire Was Part Of Community For Nearly 30 Years |Pensacola, FL

A fire early Tuesday morning destroyed an Escambia County church that was a part of the community for nearly 30 years.

It happened around 2:30 a.m. on E Olive Road.

Obedience In Faith Ministry -- which was determined a total loss -- had its roof caved in amongst other significant damage.

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(September 18) Torrington Man Dies After Crashing Into SUV, Waterbury Church | Waterbury, CT

A 43-year-old man died after police said his pickup truck crashed into another vehicle and then struck a church early Sunday morning in Waterbury.

Officers were called to the crash in the area of West Main and Church streets just before 3:45 a.m.

When police arrived on the scene, they determined that a pickup truck collided with an SUV before hitting Saint John’s Episcopal Church. Police said the church sustained minor damage.

EMS rushed William Buttery of Torrington to Saint Mary’s Hospital, where police said he died just after 4:15 a.m.

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(September 18) Police Investigate Unrelated Bomb Threats Against Two Places Of Worship | Perinton, N.Y.

Police are investigating two isolated bomb threats one made against a church in Perinton and one made against a temple in Geneva on Sunday.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office evacuated the Mountain Rise United Church of Christ after receiving information about a bomb threat there.

The church hosts Jewish services on Saturdays in addition to its regular Sunday service that was going on as deputies arrived.

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(September 18) Faith Leaders Condemn Recent Bomb Threats At Rochester-Area Houses Of Worship | Rochester, NY

Faith leaders and police on Monday spoke out at a news conference about recent bomb threats at two Rochester area houses of worship and an incident at a synagogue in Brighton during the Rosh Hashana holiday.

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days leading up to Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement. Rosh Hashana, which translates from Hebrew to mean the “head” of the year, is commemorated with special prayers, foods, gatherings and more and this year started Friday night and concluded Sunday night.

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