NYPD probing 2 acts of vandalism targeting religious symbols in Brooklyn as possible hate crimes

Parishioners are expressing concerns that it's part of a pattern.

News 12 Staff

May 17, 2021, 10:21 PM

Updated 1,245 days ago

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Police are searching for whomever is responsible for vandalizing two statues of Jesus in two different Brooklyn locations within days of each other. 
In one incident, a statue depicting Mary holding baby Jesus was targeted at the offices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.  
Police say someone shattered the head Jesus and fled the scene. It happened sometime between 3 p.m. on May 14 and 7 p.m. on May 16.  
It marks the second time something like this happened in less than a week. 
Back on May 14, police say a man went into St. Athanasius Church and tore down a large cross with a status of Jesus and then burned an American flag. 
Police are still looking for whoever is responsible for both of these incidents -- which are both being investigated as possible hate crimes. 
Parishioners are expressing concerns that it's part of a pattern. 
In a statement, the Diocese of Brooklyn called on the NYPD to increase patrols. 
“We are definitely concerned that there is a pattern of hate crimes against Catholics. There was a hate crime at a Bensonhurst parish on Friday morning and now, just a few days later, this is act of hatred has been discovered at the Diocesan offices. The Diocese will be notifying our churches to be on alert, and we are asking the NYPD to increase patrols in and around the area of our churches. Hatred and intolerance of the Catholic faith, and for that matter any faith, has no place here,” said Monsignor Anthony M. Hernandez, moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Brooklyn.