Suspect is held after video showed church vandalism
Police say woman toppled a 15-foot crucifix, causing $15,000 in damage.
Police arrested a 23-yearold woman after, authorities said, she was caught on video pushing a crucifix to the floor and destroying other items in a Northern California church.
Jackeline Chavira was booked into a Santa Cruz County jail on suspicion of vandalizing a place of worship, defacing property, burglary and disobeying a court order, the Watsonville Police Department said.
Police said the incidents began at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday when Chavira entered a Watsonville store and is suspected of stealing roses. About 20 minutes later, authorities said, she went into another store on the same street and broke a religious statue, then stopped at a bakery and stole a soda.
Finally, about 12:15 p.m., the woman is believed to have entered St. Patrick’s Church on Main Street, where, authorities said, the most damage was caused. Authorities said surveillance footage shows a woman walking toward the altar, looking behind and around her as she approached the crucifix.
The video shows her setting down what appears to be a rose before pushing the 15-foot crucifix to the floor, causing the figure of Christ to come loose, and running off, authorities said. Watsonville police said the incident caused $15,000 in damage.
After smashing the crucifix, officials said, Chavira is accused of going next door to a prayer room, where, authorities said, she threw a religious statue on the ground and ripped down two large pieces of art. Parishioners were in the room at the time.
She then visited another store on Main Street, where, authorities said, she stole another religious statue and smashed it on the ground. She was arrested and is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail.