MORRISTOWN, NJ – Police in Morristown believe they have arrested a suspect in a recent church sign vandalism case.
Morris County officials, including Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert M. McNally, Sheriff James Gannon, and Morristown Chief Darnell Richardson, have announced that a charge has been filed in relation to the vandalism incident that occurred at the Church of the Redeemer in Morristown on May 20, 2023.
After a thorough investigation, a 22-year-old man voluntarily surrendered himself to the Morristown Police Department headquarters on May 30. The defendant became aware of surveillance photos that were released over the weekend via the Crimestoppers program.
The images captured several individuals walking east on South Street at around 1:26 a.m. on May 20. Some members of the group were observed damaging multiple signs as they proceeded, eventually entering two parked vehicles on Dumont Place.
The defendant has been charged with criminal mischief, classified as a third-degree crime, and was subsequently released on a summons. Following further investigation, it was determined that the other individuals involved did not warrant charges.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office conducted a thorough inquiry to ascertain whether the act of vandalism should be considered a bias incident, given the close proximity of the damaged sign to a series of rainbow flags displayed outside the church. However, it was concluded that the evidence did not meet the criteria to classify the act as a bias-based or hate crime. The intention behind the act was solely to cause damage to property.
Prosecutor Carroll stated, “Based on our investigation, we have not found sufficient evidence to establish that the defendant’s conduct constituted a hate-based crime. I commend the collaborative efforts of the Morristown Police Department, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and Crimestoppers, which led to the filing of this charge. I express my gratitude to Chief Richardson and his department for their prompt response, as well as Rev. Black for their cooperation with my office, which greatly assisted in the investigation. I hope that the collective response and thoroughness demonstrated by Morris County law enforcement will bring reassurance to the community.”