“Satanic” Vandals Behead Church Statues

An unbelievable act of vandalism is under investigation at a church in Gloucester County, NJ. Police say someone beheaded 3 large statues at the church and damaged 5 other smaller statues.

"It's unfortunate and it's not good for the community," said Franklin Township Police Chief Michael Rock.

Investigators are now reviewing surveillance video from the neighborhood near St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Route 40 and Route 47 in Malaga, hoping the vandals may have been caught on video.

"I think that they're satanic. They have no, no, no heart, no love for Jesus and his mother," said Donna Wilson, parishioner.

Police say the vandals hit in the overnight hours and may have used a baseball bat to knock the heads off the statues.

St. Mary's Church was threatened with closure back in 2011, but members came together and held round-the-clock prayer vigils to show their support.

Now they are praying again, this time over the damaged statues, wondering who could commit such a crime.

"Obviously someone has a grudge, I don't know if it's a grudge against the Catholic Church, who knows, maybe they got turned down for whatever reason for help," said Jim Wilson, parishioner.

The church does have insurance and hopes to repair some of the statues, but others will need to be replaced.

Franklin Township Police want anyone with information about this crime to call 856-694-1414.

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