During one of Christianity’s most sacred seasons of Lent, a church that has become a landmark in the Valley was the target of vandalism overnight.

A deacon on his way to a meeting at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel arrived at the church in Youngtown to find several statues had been destroyed.

Monsignor Michael Cariglio tells 21 News that he is still surveying the damage, but between ten and 15 statues were in pieces.

Police say in all, 16 fiberglass statues were damaged, along with two granite statues and a light pole globe. 

Some appear to have been struck by bricks. Other statues were decapitated.

Saying that some of the statues were more than thirty years old, Msgr Cariglio is hoping insurance will cover the damage. The pastor said the damage was limited to the outside and it appears no one entered the church.

Msgr. Cariglio, who has been the pastor at Mt. Carmel since 1986, says the church has never experienced such damage.

Built in 1913, the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 as Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Police are reviewing video surveillance and a suspect, 20 -year old Caleb Vancampen, was taken into custody Friday afternoon. 

 

 

Two Youngstown police officers told detectives they had recently dealt with a person taking things from vehicles in that area they may want to question. 

After speaking with Vancampen, he was charged felony vandalism, in addition to two misdemeanor theft charges from the previous day. 

According to court records, Vancampen is from Kentucky and is homeless, although police say he's been living in East Palestine. 

 
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