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.
I agree that no one can make a child conform to the will of God. You can lead, exhort, and compel, but some children (of any age) may reject God's grace and succumb to the spirit of the world. I am sorry for the troubles with your child, however, maybe all your hard work will pay off. Sometimes results are not evident until many years have passed.
Finally, telling someone you don't even know to "get a life" is childish.
I actually believe them. But idle hands are the devil's workshop...
"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.
Looks like the devil decided to take control of these drifting souls.
Yup.
Wow. You have to respect their chutzpah, if nothing else.
My Christian co-worker had a similar experience. His kid straightened out by his mid-20s, so there's hope. But the father changed the locks on the doors when he was about 20.
"Owned by his peer group" is a problem for all parents with children in school.
We are quite the bookends of the States, no?
Hate crime:
Crime of aggravated assault, arson, burglary, criminal homicide, motor vehicle theft, robbery, sex offenses, and/or crime involving bodily injury in which the victim was intentionally selected because of the victims' actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or disability.
Nope, no hate crime here. Move along.
::shakes head::
I bet they are crack heads by the time they are 20.
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