Diocesan News

Vandal Who Desecrated Church Statues in Williamsburg Arrested


By Timothy Harfmann and Marie Elena Giossi

An arrest was made in the case of the vandal who desecrated two statues in Brooklyn on the first Sunday of Advent.

Police arrested Bushwick resident Andrew Oshesky, 28, who is believed to be the man caught on surveillance video urinating on and then pushing to the ground two angel statues outside Our Lady of Consolation Church, Williamsburg, around 4 a.m. on Dec. 2.

Oshesky has been charged with two counts of criminal mischief as a hate crime, two counts of criminal mischief in the form of property damage, aggravated harassment and urinating in public. The suspect was released without bail, and according to police, he has no prior arrests.

At his Bushwick apartment complex, neighbors were shocked. “That’s terrible! I saw it on the news, but I didn’t know he lived around here!” said Rosa Hernandez, a neighbor.

Having seen him sitting on the stoop a couple of times, Hernandez said he seemed, “Very quiet. Very quiet. He looked very innocent.”

The arrest came a week after interfaith religious and political leaders offered funds to replace the statues at the church, which has been vandalized three times in the last five years. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams has already contributed $500.

“I pray for him, but then at the same time I want him to learn his lesson,” said Sona Wangmo of Williamsburg.

Oshesky’s next court appearance is set for Jan. 11.