Vandals cause ‘extensive’ damage inside Utah church

PERRY, Utah — Vandals went on a rampage inside a church in Perry Saturday, resulting in canceled Sunday meetings.

The damage happened in a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2415 S. 900 West in Perry.

According to Chris Southwick, first counselor in the Perry Stake Presidency, the damage was “extensive.” Vandals smashed glass, damaged an organ and piano, and slashed paintings. He said the vandals also tore apart the kitchen.

“Somebody has broken into the end of the building and found their way around to the different parts of the building, into the kitchen where there was glass and different things, they kind of broke that glass and spread it throughout the building,” Southwick said. “Knocked over a few things like a piano and damaged some of the items within the chapel where the organ was.”

The Perry Police Department is leading the investigation.

Sgt. Dave Freeze said the break-in happened between 1:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and it appears more than one person was involved. The vandals apparently entered through an unlocked window.

Freeze added that officers have some video from neighbors and statements from witnesses.

“One of the things we’ve noticed in there is dust that’s on the carpets and in the flooring. Looks to be like it’s from fire extinguishers that were set off,” Southwick said.

Crews were already repairing and cleaning up the damage early Sunday.

“It’s sad to think that somebody would choose a house of worship to do damage to…It’s a place where hopefully people can come and find peace,” Southwick said.