Posted on 12/24/2007 3:33:52 PM PST by mylife
Police investigate vandalism of west Eugene nativity scenes
By Greg Bolt The Register-Guard
Published: December 21, 2007 05:02AM
Vandals stole baby Jesus figures from two west Eugene nativity scenes early Thursday and left severed pigs heads in their places. Police are calling it a possible bias crime.
Both incidents occurred sometime during the night at residences within a few doors of each other on Elmira Street.
The homeowners discovered the vandalism later Thursday and reported it to city police.
David Stahl, one of the two homeowners, said hes had various lawn ornaments stolen or vandalized in the past few years but said the latest incident went too far.
To have something stolen is one thing, but to have something like that left in its place was not nice, to say the least, he said.
Stahl said it was apparent the act was intended to offend. The vandals didnt disturb anything else in the yard.
They just took the baby Jesus and left the pigs head, he said.
Jennifer Cooper, the daughter of the other couple whose nativity scene was defaced, said a neighbor told her what was in the display as she was on her way outside with her 18-month-old cousin to visit the scene.
The child likes to kiss the baby Jesus before going home.
I told her it was too wet, Cooper said.
But Cooper said several neighborhood children saw the nativity scene before she knew what had happened and were very upset by the sight.
Initially, police took the reports over the phone and did not respond in person. Later, however, the department announced the cases were being investigated as a possible bias crime because the vandalism was aimed at a religious icon.
Anyone with information about the cases is asked to contact Officer Jason Berreth at 682-5111.
Radical secularists in action, I’ll bet.
A possible bias crime? Right.
Makes you wonder what is going on in some peoples heads.
One wouldn’t think it’d be too difficult to find out where two pigs heads were stolen.
Police are calling it a possible bias crime??????????????
Brilliant, just brilliant.
“pigs head”
The usual suspects:
PETA
Islamofacists
Skin heads
DUers
Would a bias crime be worth 3/5ths of a hate crime?
What's next, sarcasm crime?
Someone does this and it’s a “bias crime,” but someone else uses the politically wrong knot in his fishing line and it’s a “hate crime.” Ye flipping cats...!
I think we can rule out the top two because they wouldn't want to touch a pig's head. The skinheads I doubt, because they usually aren't as anti-Christian as they are anti-semitic. DU or Daily Kos cretins I believe. Nobody is as hate filled or violent as liberals.
Watch it with the cats kid.
You don’t want to be charged with a bias crime. ;0)
I don’t agree. Christians don’t give a hoot about pigs. Whoever planted this thought he was offending them by his choice of a pig’s head—most likely because his own religion takes offense at pigs.
GREENSBORO A UNCG student accused of destroying a 71-year-old Nativity scene in front of Greensboro College was arrested after he allegedly bragged to another student about the crime, police said Monday.
Freshman Kevin Michael Feeley, 19, of Raleigh was arrested Friday and charged with injury to personal property in connection with the Dec. 8 vandalism.
"Apparently, a Greensboro College student heard the suspect bragging about it and reported it to campus security and they reported it to us," said Greensboro police Lt. Brian James. "We obtained enough information to corroborate that story and make the charges."
James said police believe Feeley used a piece of the Nativity scene to destroy the other parts of the display which featured fiberglass figures of Joseph and Mary on the road to Bethlehem, the inn and the manger scene.
The figures were found knocked over, broken and smashed about 7 a.m. Dec. 8.
James said police have no reason to believe any other students of either school were involved with the crime, but that they said they will investigate any leads that suggest otherwise.
He said investigators have no motive and have no information regarding whether Feeley was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the crime was committed.
The vandalism would classify as a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of more than six months in jail. But a person with no prior criminal convictions could be sentenced to a maximum of 45 days in jail, Assistant District Attorney Howard Neumann said Monday.
The term could be suspended on the condition of a suspect making restitution.
However that option only applies if a suspect is capable of paying the amount of damage.
Greensboro College officials said it cost $5,000 to replace the Nativitys Joseph figure when it was stolen in 1996.
Each piece, including Mary, the wise men, the shepherds, sheep, camels and the manger must be individually recreated, the college said last week.
UNCG officials confirmed Monday that Feeley is still a student and that he has been notified that his case will be handled through the student judicial process regarding a violation of the student code of conduct, which applies to student behavior both on and off campus.
Brett Carter, an assistant dean of student affairs, said he has met with Feeleys parents on campus to explain the process, but couldnt go into specifics about the case or possible repercussions with the university if he is found guilty.
"We dont want to rush to any kind of judgment," Carter said.
Calls to Feeleys dorm room at UNCG went unanswered Monday afternoon and a message left at his Raleigh home was not returned.
http://www.triadcareers.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071218/NRSTAFF/950970268/-1/NEWSRECRSSARKIVE
What kind of person would vandaliaze a Nativity scene?
And in such a horrible way.
Motive? Dumbass
Ping.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.