Special to the Journal
YOUNGSTOWN — An East Palestine man is jailed in connection with more than a dozen religious statues vandalized at the Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, in what Diocese of Youngstown Bishop David Bonnar described as a senseless act.
Police Friday afternoon arrested the 20-year-old in connection with a felony count of vandalism for the early morning incident.
After the damage was reported, two patrol officers recalled dealing Thursday morning with a suspicious man in two car break-ins on East Commerce Street, a short distance from the church, said Capt. Rod Foley, chief of detectives. That man was given two misdemeanor summons for taking items — including glasses, face masks, a hat and a phone charger — out of parked cars and was arraigned Friday, Foley said.