Caught on Camera

Surveillance Video Shows Vandal Damaging Jesus Statue at Miami Shores Church

The act of vandalism at St. Martha's Church happened back in August and left the Jesus statue without a hand

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New surveillance footage shows a suspect vandalizing a statue of Jesus outside a Catholic church in Miami Shores, in one of two recent desecrations at the same church that remain unsolved.

The first act of vandalism at St. Martha's Church happened back in August and left the Jesus statue without a hand.

The video shows the suspect approach the statue in broad daylight and throw something at it, shattering the hand, before walking away.

The second and most recent desecration happened on Sept. 29, when a statue in front of the parish office was left headless and handless.

RAW: Surveillance footage shows a suspect vandalizing a Jesus statue at a Catholic church in Miami Shores.

"We found the head over the fence. It was thrown on another piece of property," said Mary Ross Agosta, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Miami.

Agosta said the church is in the business of forgiveness but they want to know who is behind the vandalism.

"It sends a sad message. It sends a strong message. Perhaps that it is an anti-Christ issue," she said.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski said the act is concerning since other churches have dealt with desecrations just like this. 

“It makes you upset really because we don’t know the reason’s why this is happening,” Wenski said.

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