CROWN HEIGHTS — Police arrested a man who allegedly burst into St. Matthew Church in Crown Heights on Nov. 21 — interrupting a prayer service that was taking place that morning — and knocked over numerous religious items.
The suspect, identified by NYPD as Keeonn Wilson, 33, of Lancaster, South Carolina, entered the church located at 1123 Eastern Parkway around 11:20 a.m., disrupting the prayer service, and then knocked over two candle stands to the floor, along with a censer stand used to hold burning incense, according to the police.
NYPD estimated the vandalism caused about $7,500 in damage. Wilson’s arraignment was pending at press time.
Wilson, who is facing multiple counts of criminal mischief, was still at the scene when the police arrived after being called by church employees. According to police, the suspect was taken into custody without incident and charged with three counts of second-degree criminal mischief. Police added that their investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The diocese, in a statement, said it is “grateful for the quick response” of the NYPD.
“The parishioners will keep this man in their prayers as they pray for the sick and distressed in their community every day,” the statement reads. “We are hopeful this man could receive the mental health assistance he needs.”
In the statement, a diocesan spokesperson also lamented recent acts of vandalism at religious institutions in New York City. “The recent string of acts against houses of worship throughout our city is unsettling,” the statement read.
On Nov. 5, a vandal spray-painted swastikas at three Brooklyn sites — a yeshiva, a social services agency, and a cemetery. And on Oct. 5, a vandal wrote anti-Christian messages at three Queens churches, including St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Far Rockaway, and two non-denominational churches.
The diocese called the attack at St. Mary Star of the Sea, in which the vandal painted the facade of the church and two statues, “absolutely disgraceful.”
In a statement following the Oct. 5 vandalism, the diocese said, “We continue to pray for the responsible individual as well as for greater religious tolerance in our city.”