Vandals damage 2 more S.L. churches

Salt Lake City police on Monday were investigating another church vandalism. Two buildings at the St. Ambrose Religion Center, 2315 E. Redondo Ave. (1929 South) suffered extensive vandalism sometime between Friday afternoon and 11 a.m. Sunday, said Monsignor John Hedderman.

In both the Vaughn Center and the J.E. Cosgriff School, there was extensive damage to several offices, walls and windows, he said. Damage between the two building is estimated at $20,000.

The weekend fire was the fifth reported church vandalism in recent weeks. Investigators are not sure if any of the incidents are related.

On June 9, several windows were smashed at Zion Lutheran Church ELCA, 1070 Foothill Drive. Church officials believed robbery was the main intent in that incident. The would-be robbers entered the building through an open window, a church spokeswoman said.

But no money was taken because the robbers couldn't get the safe open.

Federal and local police are still investigating a June 12 arson at a meetinghouse for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The fire caused at least $300,000 in damage at the meetinghouse near 6400 West and 3500 South.

Another LDS meetinghouse at 1880 E. 9800 South suffered extensive damage sometime late on the night of May 25 or early in the morning of May 26. Damage was estimated at $100,000.

Sandy police called the vandalism they worst they had ever seen. Investigators Monday were still looking for the vandals in that case.

Two weeks earlier the Blessed Sacrament Church, 9757 S. 1700 East, suffered minor vandalism in its chapel.

In the Vaughn Center fire, the vandals broke into three offices by breaking the handles off the doors, Monsignor Hedderman said. They also broke through the ceiling tiles in the bathroom and smashed several windows, he said.

There were no signs of forced entry into either building. A set of keys were found on the floor in the Vaughn Center and may have been used to enter the building, according to a Salt Lake City police report. Monsignor Hedderman believed the vandals may have gotten into the school through an unlocked door.

Monsignor Hedderman said he knew about $20 in change was stolen. But officials were still trying to determine Monday if anything else was taken.

The vandals went through several files with church records, he said. But all the computers, radios and televisions were not taken. Vandalism appeared to be the primary intent, Monsignor Hedderman said.

"I'm getting to be more sad now, but yesterday I was madder than hell," Monsignor Hedderman said Monday of the incident.

Police believed at least two people were responsible for the vandalism based on footprints found at the scene.

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