Los Angeles County law enforcement agencies have reported the arrest of a 24-year-old man, Luis Garcia, in connection to a spate of vandalism incidents that targeted religious institutions, including multiple infractions at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Baldwin Park, California. According to KTLA, the Baldwin Park Police Department took Garcia into custody following a brief chase on Saturday morning that ended with his arrest and the recovery of items presumably used in the vandalism acts.
These recent destructive acts at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, which saw statues and windows damaged, are estimated to have caused approximately $19,000 in damages. The police department is now investigating these incidents as potential hate crimes, Garcia allegedly targeted the church multiple times within the last 24 hours prior to his capture, as per KTLA.
"The police department is taking these crimes very seriously and encourages anyone with additional information to come forward," as stated by the Baldwin Park Police Department.
