TOMS RIVER – Township police are investigating two cases of vandalism at a church in the community which caused thousands of dollars in damage.
Saint Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church located on Church Road was vandalized twice last weekend causing great damage which Father Paul Pappas shared pictures of on social media.
Perhaps the most notable visual damage was to the church’s sign in front of its building. Concrete was also taken from the front steps and there were windows shattered and a railing broken.
The damage was discovered on Sunday morning. The priest has been reported as saying that the sign had been ripped p and torn up with some of its letters broken off. A window was found to be broken a day later and a large brick was found inside the church. Damage to the church’s exterior stairs was also reported to police.
According to a report by New Jersey 101.5 the priest estimated the damage at around $15,000 though at the time a contractor and insurance agent had not yet evaluated the extent of damage.
This was not the first time that the church, well known around Ocean County and other areas of the State for its annual Greek Festival held each fall, had been vandalized. An incident of someone spray painting graffiti on a light post in the parking lot and on a trash can, had also occurred.
Father Pappas said he believes the vandals had put considerable thought into the two recent incidents of vandalism and suspects sledgehammers may have been used to break the concrete railing and stairs. None of the damage was directed at any sentimental or historical items.
Police are continuing the investigation of the incident.
