Cache Valley Man In Custody After Break-In, Vandalism At Logan Temple
Dec 24, 2019, 9:36 AM | Updated: 7:40 pm
Crews make repairs at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Logan Utah temple following a break-in on Dec. 24, 2019. (Photo: Brian Champagne)
(Photo: Brian Champagne)
LOGAN, Utah – Police arrested a man who allegedly broke into and vandalized a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Logan Police Capt. Curtis Hooley said officers responded to a break-in at the Logan Temple at approximately 3:30 a.m Tuesday. He said the suspect gained access by breaking a window on the east side of the structure.
“There was quite a bit of damage that had been done,” Hooley said. “There were some paintings that had been knocked off the wall. A fire extinguisher had been set off.”
Peter Ambrose (Photo: Cache County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities reportedly found the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Peter Abraham Ambrose, of Smithfield, at approximately 8:30 a.m. behind a locked door on the main floor.
“Officers arrived on scene and spoke with Peter through the door,” according to a probable cause statement. “Peter came out (willingly) and was placed into handcuffs.”
Ambrose caused an estimated $5,000 worth of damage inside the structure, according to court documents.
“Quite a few things had been damaged,” Hooley said. “Some paintings, some walls, some doors.”
According to arresting documents, one of the responding officers found that multiple paintings had been torn off the walls and damaged. Curtains had been torn down, a fire extinguisher had been deployed, and an ax had been smashed through a mirror.
Ambrose told police on scene that he had broken the items inside the temple, the report states.
According to a media release issued by the Logan City Police Department, Ambrose said he was upset because it was Christmas and he couldn’t see his children. He also told police that no Latter-day Saint women would date him.
“Apparently, he isn’t able to see his children during Christmas and he can’t find anybody to date,” Hooley said. “He’s just upset with members of the Church, it sounded like.”
Ambrose was charged with one count of burglary, a third-degree felony, and one count of criminal mischief, a second-degree felony.
“I just feel bad for what happened,” said Folau Tupou, who heard about the vandalism and went to the temple with his family to find out more.
But he said he’s not filled with anger.
“For someone to do this on Christmas Eve, we feel sorry for him and feel sorry for what happened, especially for the temple, the House of the Lord,” Tupou said.
“I think that’s weird that he would, like, stay there,” said Kira Robinson, who was walking near the temple Tuesday with her husband and her son.
“That’s kind of strange,” said her husband, Layne. “Then he just hid in there. That’s super odd.”
By mid-morning, workers were already replacing broken glass on the door to the annex. The temple was previously scheduled to be closed Tuesday and Church officials hope to have the temple ready to reopen as scheduled on Thursday.
“It’s definitely a sad way to hit the community of Logan like this,” said Kira Robinson.
Workers begin repairs at the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Christmas Eve.
