A man was taken into custody after he climbed a historic four-story Boyle Heights church, lit fire to a cross and began jumping from roof to roof Wednesday evening.
Los Angeles firefighters and police responded to St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 407 S. Chicago Street shortly before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. The flames on the cross at the top of the bell tower appeared to burn out without threatening the rest of the structure.
“LAFD is on scene with LAPD at a four story building with an adult male on the roof,” Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department said. “The person appears to be trying to light the building on fire.”
The man was shirtless, wearing only underwear and a single sock as he walked back and forth on the church’s roof.
He then started to jump from roof to roof as police attempted to apprehend him. Video from a witness shows the man apparently injuring himself when he landed and yelled in pain as he laid on the roof of a nearby home.
AIR7 HD captured the man dangling from power lines as he moved from home to home.
After coming down, he began to wander around the exterior of buildings in the neighborhood and dangled from wires.
Los Angeles police officers were able to take him into custody around 10:15 p.m. after he entered an apartment unit, which forced the family inside to flee.
Residents came out of their homes as the bizarre scene unfolded.
“He went across and he was trying to take off the cross in the front of the building, and he was trying to light it on fire, but since it wasn’t lighting on fire he just tried to leave and he almost slipped,” said Mariana Delarosa. “I think it’s crazy. I’ve never seen anything like this, and I’ve lived here my whole life.”
The man was transported to a hospital to be treated for his injuries.
The above comes from a July 8 story on Channel 7 (ABC) News in Los Angeles.
I predict more arsons at Catholic churches.
I’m confused how to vote on that comment. If I give it thumbs up I don’t want to appear to be supporting arson, but it could be interpreted that way. If I give it thumbs down it could be interpreted as disagreeing with the statement, which is not what I want to convey. What to do?
don’t comment, maybe? it’s OK and a useful spiritual exercise. One I would do well to practice…
In a few recent weeks, about 20 Churches have been burned down in Canada by Antifa (style) mobs, while Trudeau’s government does nothing. Some Canadian government officials are even praising the destruction “Burn it all down!” one said. While all this is happening, Canadian Catholics are sitting on their hands and continue to do nothing. (Oh sorry, they were engaged in spiritual exercises)..
So in answer to your question, What to do? What to do? (mental image of Catholic shaking in fear, wringing in sweat).
We must be much better prepared, than up in Canada. To begin with, make it clear to our politicians that these crimes must be stopped, and promptly punished. Support Police and Courts, and make known your opposition to violence and arsonists.
And our US Churches must be much better prepared with surveillance and upgraded security. Priests and Bishops must be much tougher – vandals perceive “forgiveness” as a license to continue with their crimes. Bring charges against vandals and arsonists!! As for each of us, help keep better watch on our Churches. Report suspicious activity immediately. Be stronger and more vocal to our officials.
No more statues of saints being dragged down! No more Churches vandalized with paint!
Sorry, we won’t forgive them! Bring charges to vandals, and insist on prosecution…Sorry, we have no choice, if we wish to keep our Churches from being torched, like up in Canada….
This has to stop. All these groups want diversity and inclusion but they are not affording that to Catholics.
The man has a deep seated mental problem
Then he’s not sinning because he’s not in possession of his faculties.
That would make him criminally insane, and the criminally insane are locked up for their own protection and ours.
Obviously, this man has a serious mental health issue and needs treatment.