ORLEANS — An Orleans man is facing numerous charges after St. Theresa’s Catholic Church was vandalized on Monday night.
Police say that Justin Roy, 20, of Orleans, was arrested for burglary, unlawful mischief, and unlawful trespass, after a call came in at around 8 p.m. of a fire at the church, located at 44 East Street.
Father Timothy Naples said that items were broken and a tablecloth had been set on fire, causing damage to a wood panel in the building, however, the fire was extinguished by a neighbor.
Police say that the damages are estimated at around $3,000, with much of the damage labor intensive to clean up, after several fire extinguishers were discharged throughout the building.
Entry into the church was made by breaking out a window, and Fr. Naples said that the perpetrators cut themselves in the process, and that there was a significant amount of blood at the site.
The church usually holds services on Saturday evening, and say that they will work to get the building cleaned up in time. They say there is also the possibility of holding services in the parish hall.
Roy was lodged at Northern State Correctional Facility for lack of bail.
