Police in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts charged two 12-year-olds in connection to the daytime vandalism of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Boston.com reported.
The church was vandalized on the afternoon of October 6 when a fire was set near the altar, damaging a Bible and the altar cloth, the Boston Globe reported.
According to the East Bridgewater Police, the incident occurred between 2:00 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. The votive candles used in the incident were still lit in the entry and the matches were left behind.
Firefighters arrived at the scene at 3:40 p.m. after the pastor, smelling smoke, went inside to investigate.
According to officials, it appeared that the vandals attempted to put out the fire using both a fire extinguisher and water from the sacristy. Police determined that the suspects also stole items from the food pantry, some of which they dropped as they escaped through the back entrance to the church.
After taking witness reports and reviewing video footage, police identified and charged a boy and a girl, both 12 years old.
According to a press release last Tuesday, both children were charged with breaking and entering during the daytime, larceny, destruction of property of more than $1,200, and burning of a building.
The 12-year-olds will be arraigned in juvenile court.
