Teens accused of vandalizing more than a dozen Mormon churches in Utah, cops say
_fitted.png "Three teens have been arrested in relation to vandalism at more than a dozen Mormon churches across Southern Utah, including one on East Desert Canyons Parkway, officials said. (Screengrab from Goolge Street View)")
Three teens have been arrested in relation to vandalism at more than a dozen Mormon churches across Southern Utah, officials said.
The teens are accused of shattering the windows to at least 14 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across Washington County, the St. George Police Department said in a news release on Wednesday, July 27.
The vandalism, which is estimated to be more than $5,000, happened at churches in three separate cities on or around July 20, according to police.
“These arrests stem from detailed witness accounts, tips from concerned citizens and the teamwork of Hurricane City Police Department, Washington City Police Department and the St. George Police Department,” police said in a news release.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints did not immediately return McClatchy News’ request for comment.
After midnight on Wednesday, July 20, officers responded to reports of “several subjects” shattering the windows to a church on East Desert Canyons Parkway, according to police.
A witness provided police a “vehicle description with specific details,” as well as a description of the passengers, police said.
In neighboring Washington City there had been a similar broken window incident at a church the night prior, according to police. This led to officers in surrounding cities to check churches in their areas where they found “several more broken windows.”
“In all, at least 14 church buildings belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were damaged in St. George, Hurricane and Washington City,” according to police.
Days later, police received a tip from “social media messages” that pointed to three suspects, according to police.
Two of the suspects admitted their involvement in the vandalism when interviewed by the St. George Police Department.
Two 18-year-olds and one 17-year-old were arrested and are facing a criminal mischief charge, police said.
St. George is about 300 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.
This story was originally published July 28, 2022 at 7:26 PM with the headline "Teens accused of vandalizing more than a dozen Mormon churches in Utah, cops say."
