Posted on 01/03/2006 7:10:31 AM PST by Cagey
SAYREVILLE, N.J. -- Four teens stole 27 baby Jesus statues from nativity scenes outside churches and homes and planned to burn them, police said.
Two of the suspects, who ranged from 15 to 19 years old, said they acted out of boredom, authorities said.
"They were looking for things to do," Detective Ken Kelly said. "They told us, 'We were going to have a baby Jesus burning party."'
One suspect told detectives, "We just wanted to see their heads burning," Kelly said.
The suspects, who were arrested Monday, face charges of theft, criminal mischief, destruction of venerated objects and conspiracy, and could face five years in prison if convicted.
Robert Olson, whose 18-year-old son, Christopher, was charged, said he and his family were shocked by the arrest.
"Although Chris is sometimes misguided, this was not something we expected out of him," he said.
Olson said his son is unemployed and working toward resuming his high school education. The teen is on probation for a disorderly persons offense involving a disagreement with a neighbor, his father said.
"I hope my son and the others will come to grips with what they've done and make full restitution and get whatever help they need to get rid of those feelings," Olson said.
Frank Payne, whose 19-year-old son, Michael, also was charged, said bias was not a factor.
"Michael has been hanging around with the wrong people," he said. "He goes to college. He's an outstanding young kid."
Also charged were 18-year-old Nicholas Hess and a 15-year-old who was not identified due to his age.
How would they burn this material? Does stone burn well?
>>>acted out of boredom
How sad, in this day and age, teenagers cannot find something constructive to do, apparently they were never taught "thou shalt not steal", "thou shalt not covet they neighbors goods", did I mention THOU SHALT NOT STEAL.>>>
How getting an afterschool job? If they've got this much time to kill... I bet his parents justify him not working after school because it might affect his grades. Yeah, it would interfere with all his STUDY TIME.
To borrow a line from the Graduate:
"Just one word: plastic."
The ACLU will be sending them membership applications.
"If it were the symbol for any other group this would be a "hate crime" and the MSM would be covering it 24/7."
Well, it's in all the New Jersey and NCY media now. I expect it will be picked up as a national story shortly by the MSM.
The story just broke a few hours ago. It'll get covered.
If I was one of the homeowners who was stolen from, I would scream "hate crime!" and sue their (parents') asses.
This reminds me of CS Lewis's novel, That Hideous Strength.
Oh, those bad feelings, where could those "bad feelings" come from and how do we chase them away. Mr. Olson probably spent tens of thousands of dollars instilling good feelings and high self-esteem.
I actually believe the kids are not particularly anti-Chrisitan, more that this was a merely profane thing to do that was very easy.
I have a large nativity scene out front during Christmas and have taken some steps to prevent abuse --- all figures epoxied down and large tree stakes hammered into the ground.
Basically, it would prevent a casual bored kid from causing too much trouble.
A dedicated theif, no.
But then, someone who steal Jesus needs it more than I do --- an attitude I learned when someone stole my nice new leather-bound Bible one day.
I actually believe the kids are not particularly anti-Chrisitan, more that this was a merely profane thing to do that was very easy.
I have a large nativity scene out front during Christmas and have taken some steps to prevent abuse --- all figures epoxied down and large tree stakes hammered into the ground.
Basically, it would prevent a casual bored kid from causing too much trouble.
A dedicated theif, no.
But then, someone who steal Jesus needs it more than I do --- an attitude I learned when someone stole my nice new leather-bound Bible one day.
Parents are seldom liable for children's intentional acts.
Negligent entrustment of a motor vehicle is typically about it --- and that's pretty hard to show, if the kid has a valid driver's license.
Laws differ by state, of course.
I'll bet his website says different.
This is New Jersey. That cannon was probably removed ages ago as a symbol of violence....
ok thanks
These "teens" are in stage one of their islamofascist wannabe mode. What a bunch of morons! The ACLU and DNC are probably actively supporting this crap, too.
Sounds good. Only problem I can see is their "parents" screaming cruel and unusual punishment for such a "minor offence".
So I guess its OK to burn this Jew in an oven and no one will object or raise an eyebrow, right?
Every crackhead who ODs or gets murdered was "trying to get his life together" according to relatives.
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