From Deseret News archives:

LDS chapels in Davis, Weber damaged in vandalism spree

Published: Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 12:39 a.m. MST
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LAYTON — Police are searching for whoever is behind a vandalism spree at LDS chapels in Davis and Weber counties.

Glass doors and windows have been shot out at churches stretching from Layton to Ogden. The latest vandalism was reported Monday morning at a chapel at 2025 E. Antelope Drive, said Layton Police Lt. Quinn Moyes.

"It's all the same type of damage," he told the Deseret News. "You've got the front glass doors that were shot with a BB gun. Those glass doors are double-paned and tempered. They were shot four times. It shatters but stays intact."

Three churches were hit sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning. They were at 60 W. Gordon Ave., 2160 W. Gordon Ave. and 1290 N. Church St. The vandalism wasn't noticed until church members began showing up for Sunday services. The total damage to all four churches is about $2,800, Moyes said.

Ogden police had one church with windows shot out at 5191 Old Post Road early Sunday morning.

"We have no suspects, no evidence, no arrests and no witnesses," Ogden Police Lt. Scott Sangberg said, adding that a home on Old Post Road was reported vandalized on Nov. 1.

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Weber County sheriff's deputies also were investigating a shattered window at an LDS chapel reported Saturday night at 5855 S. Skyline Drive, near South Ogden. Weber County Sheriff's Lt. Klint Anderson said doors were broken, but no one went inside.

Layton police said all four incidences of vandalism are believed to be connected, but investigators said they have no evidence it is a hate crime. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has recently been the subject of protests because it heavily supported the controversial Proposition 8 in California, which banned same-sex marriage.

"There's a lot of opinion that it's connected with the Prop. 8 in California and this is a hate crime," Moyes said. "But we do not have any evidence to substantiate that this is a hate crime. Until we can have some evidence that we can link that, then we are not making that connection."

Other police agencies agreed. Police also do not have any suspects at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the Layton Police Department at 801-497-8300.


E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com

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