A 23-year-old man damaged property by kicking a cross and breaking windows in three churches in Konstantynów Łódzki. He was halted before he could attack a fourth temple when an altar boy intervened. The man is charged with property damage and insulting religious sentiments.
Earlier this week, police responded to a report on Jana Pawła Street in Konstantynów Łódzki.
The caller reportedly observed someone inside a church kicking a cross and breaking windows. In a conversation with the church pastor, officers confirmed that three windows had been damaged in the temple.
– stated on Thursday by the Pabianice police spokeswoman, Sergeant Agnieszka Jachimek.
Damaged church interior
Inside the church, furniture including tables, benches, and kneelers were overturned. The total losses are estimated at 5,000 PLN.
While patrolling nearby streets, officers detected shattered glass and a damaged facade window at the second church on Kościuszko Square. A broken torch lay on the veranda floor.
– the spokeswoman added.
The pastor indicated that the damage likely occurred recently and estimated losses at 500 PLN for that location.
– she noted.
The vandal stopped by an altar boy
Police subsequently checked two additional churches in Konstantynów Łódzki.
On Kościelna Street they encountered two men in a confrontation. Just before police arrived, a 16-year-old altar boy restrained a person attempting to throw a stone at a church window. The vandal was highly agitated and aggressive and was immediately taken into custody.
– Jachimek reported.
The suspect was without identification and declined to provide personal details.
A 23-year-old resident of Konstantynów Łódzki faced charges for damage to property and insulting religious sentiments. If convicted, he could face a prison term of up to five years. The Łódź police indicated that authorities may pursue a harsher penalty given the circumstances of recidivism and the nature of the offense as hooliganism.
The man is also implicated in theft, with a request filed for provisional detention for three months. A bottle of water was reported stolen from a nearby store on the way to one of the churches.
– police spokespersons confirmed.
This incident is being documented by the regional police and local media outlets as part of ongoing coverage of vandalism and public order in the area. The updated case file will detail all damaged sites and the sequence of events leading to the arrests. [Source: local law enforcement communications and media reports]
Source: wPolityce