Police in Sparta NJ recently arrested a woman accused of vandalizing a local church on Christmas Eve.
The vandalism incident allegedly occurred on Christmas Eve outside the Institute for Spiritual Development, which is located on Sparta Avenue in Sparta, New Jersey. According to authorities, the suspect threw a large rock at the exterior of the church because she was trying to get someone’s attention so that she could get a ride home. However, the rock wound up going through a stained glass window and causing extensive damage.
Officials estimated that the total value of the damage caused to the church building could exceed $5,000.
After the rock went through the church window, someone dialed 911 to alert local law enforcement. The Sparta Police Department dispatched police officers to the scene, where they found the suspect. Sparta cops talked to the suspect, who reportedly confessed to having thrown the rock.
The suspect is a 39-year-old woman from Hamburg, New Jersey. She has been charged with criminal mischief. The charge has been classified as a third degree felony, which means that the suspect could face 3-5 years in NJ State Prison if she is ultimately convicted.
After being placed under arrest and processed, the suspect was released on her own recognizance. She has a pending court date in Sussex County Superior Court.
To learn more about this case, check out the NJ.com article, “Woman Accused of Throwing Rock through Church Window.”