Monday, October 23, 2023

12-year-olds charged in vandalism at Massachusetts church

Two 12-year-olds are facing a handful of charges in connection with Friday’s daytime vandalism of a Catholic church in East Bridgewater.

East Bridgewater police and firefighters responded to St. John the Evangelist at 210 Central Street on Friday afternoon. 

An initial investigation found a fire had been set near the church’s altar, damaging the altar cloth as well as a Bible. 

Food items were also taken from the church’s pantry.

A witness and video footage led investigators to charging the two 12-year-olds, a boy and a girl, East Bridgewater police said Tuesday. 

Both children are facing charges of burning a building, larceny from a building, destruction of property over $1,200, and breaking and entering a building in the daytime — a felony. 

The 12-year-olds will be arraigned in Brockton District Juvenile Court.