Police Seek Two Suspects in Church Vandalism

Santa Ana police are trying to identify two people accused of breaking into a Catholic church property and cutting pieces off a bronze statue. (newsantaana.com) Detectives said the suspects damaged wooden fence panels to get into Christ Our Savior Catholic Church at 2002 W. Alton Ave. in the early morning hours. Investigators said the pair then used a cutting tool to remove portions of the statue. (newsantaana.com) The victim told police the vandalism and theft caused thousands of dollars in losses. New Santa Ana reported the case could lead to felony charges if detectives identify and arrest the suspects. (newsantaana.com) The case fits a pattern Santa Ana detectives have been publicizing this month involving thefts of metal or historic property. KTLA reported this week that thieves also removed two historic plaques from the Grand Central Arts Center in Santa Ana, and police assigned that case to Detective R. Wilson as well. (ktla.com) Bronze statues are frequent theft targets because the metal can be cut up and sold as scrap, even when the artwork itself is far more valuable than its melt price. In this case, police said the suspects damaged both the fence and the statue, turning the theft into a larger property-crime investigation. (newsantaana.com) The Santa Ana Police Department’s Investigations Bureau says its job is to solve crimes and reduce the risk of future offenses through apprehension and prevention work. Detectives are now asking the public to help do that here by identifying the two people shown in released images. (santa-ana.org, newsantaana.com) Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective R. Wilson at 714-245-8551 or RashadWilson@santa-ana.org. The investigation remains open. (newsantaana.com)