NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Police Department released two images of a suspect wanted for criminal damage of a statue of Jesus Christ at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in Uptown late last month.
According to police, the male suspect shown in the images allegedly scaled a fence to enter the church garden in the 1200 block of South Carrollton Avenue at approximately 11 p.m. on May 28.
After entering the garden, the suspect is accused of breaking the hands off the statue and breaking the front window of a vehicle before allegedly fleeing on a bicycle.
On Monday, NOPD was still investigating the incident, but the pastor believes it was targeted.
“You pray for those who persecute you, but it’s not about this fellow. That’s not it. It’s about what’s going on in the world. It is an anti-Catholic, anti-Christian environment,” Church priest Father Herbert Kiff told WWL Louisiana days after the incident.
In his garden, Father Kiff told WWL that the same man had uprooted a statue of Saint Padre Pio.
“It’s just disheartening," he continued. "Why would anyone want to do that?
The NOPD is asking the public for assistance with identifying and locating a suspect wanted for criminal damage.
Anyone with information about the crime or the suspect is asked to call Second District detectives at 504-658-6020 or to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
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