News

Arlington Heights church vandalized, Christmas tree ruined

Posted December 15, 2008 10:00 pm

By Sheila Ahern

Vandals overturned partitions, tables and bookcases in the Kids of the Kingdom day care at Cross & Crown Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, which serves primarily families short on resources. Courtesy of Rev. Randy Thompson

Two 15-year-old boys were charged on Monday with vandalizing an Arlington Heights church and leaving its parishioners without a Christmas tree.

"It's a mess," said Randy Thompson, pastor of Cross & Crown Lutheran Church, 1122 W. Rand Road. "Everything is smashed up. Doors and windows are broken."

Thompson figures the vandalism occurred between midnight and 12:45 a.m. on Monday because that's when time was stopped on many of the churches' broken clocks.

Nothing was stolen, but Thompson estimates the vandals caused thousands of dollars worth of damage. Four computers and one copier were broken along with several doors and windows. Police said the two also set off fire extinguishers, which ruined many toys in the children's day-care center.

Arlington Heights police said they caught the two boys - one from Arlington Heights and the other from Wheeling - walking a few blocks from the church on Monday night. Since it was well past curfew, the police officers asked the boys what they were up to, said Sgt. Tom Seleski of the Arlington Heights Police Department.

"Police were actually responding to some car vandalism that was reported in the area," Seleski said. "But while they were being interviewed, they admitted to the church burglary."

The two boys were charged with burglary and criminal damage to property. They appeared in juvenile court on Monday and were released to their parents, Seleski said.

To get into the church, the boys broke a window near the church's side door, Thompson said.

The damage was random. While the 10-foot artificial Christmas tree was ruined, the church's Nativity scene was left untouched. Nothing in the church's sanctuary was damaged, Thompson said. Cleanup began on Monday, and the day care should be reopened by Wednesday. Thompson isn't sure if the church will buy another Christmas tree this year.

"It might not be high on the list of priorities," he said.

During the cleanup, church officials may need extra help with the Ministry of Hope program, which feeds between 40 and 75 homeless people on Saturday. Those interested in helping can call (847) 394-0362.

Vandals turned the Cross & Crown Lutheran Church office area topsy turvy, strewing paperwork over the floor and doing what's estimated to be thousands of dollars in damage. Two 15-year-old boys have been charged. Courtesy of Rev. Randy Thompson

Two boys were charged Monday with vandalizing the Cross & Crown Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights. Courtesy of Randy Thompson

Vandals broke into the Cross & Crown Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights early Monday, wreaking havoc to the office and daycare. Two 15-year-old boys have been charged. Courtesy of Rev. Randy Thompson

Vandals overturned partitions, tables and bookcases in the Kids of the Kingdom day care at Cross & Crown Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights. Two 15-year-old boys have been charged. Courtesy of Rev. Randy Thompson

Even the church Christmas tree was destroyed in the vandalism at Cross & Crown Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights. Two 15-year-old boys have been charged. Courtesy of Rev. Randy Thompson

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