A North Carolina man was arrested on a vandalism charge Tuesday evening in northwest Modesto after he allegedly climbed onto the roof of a church building, causing damage when he tore off and threw the stucco tiles.
First responders were called to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, building on Dale Road sometime before 4:45 p.m. for a man in his 30s on the roof building, Sgt. Frank Inacio said.
He told police he was having a “frustrating time,” Inacio said, and would come down if officers brought him soda and cigarettes.
A man was arrested after climbing on the roof of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints church on Dale Road in Modesto, Calif., on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The man ripped up and destroyed dozens of tiles on the church roof, the man agreed to leave if police gave him a cigarette and a soda. The officers complied, and the man agreed to leave after smoking a cigarette and drinking a soda. He was taken into custody without any injuries to him, officers or members at the church. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com
The officers complied, and the man agreed to leave after smoking a cigarette. He was taken into custody without any injuries to him, officers or members at the church.
Initial estimates put the damage around $1,000, though Inacio was not sure if that would be accurate after a formal assessment. He said the amount of damage was comparatively minor to the size of the building.
The man is facing a preliminary charge of felony vandalism.
Modesto Police talk with a distraught man on the roof of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints church on Dale Road in Modesto, Calif., on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The man ripped up and destroyed dozens of tiles on the church roof. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com
A man was arrested after climbing on the roof of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints church on Dale Road in Modesto, Calif., on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The man ripped up and destroyed dozens of tiles on the church roof. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com
A man was arrested after climbing on the roof of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church on Dale Road in Modesto, Calif., on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The man ripped up and destroyed dozens of tiles on the church roof. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com
A man was arrested after climbing on the roof of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church on Dale Road in Modesto, Calif., on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. The man destroyed several areas of the tile church roofing. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com
This story was originally published April 27, 2022 at 9:43 AM.
Lydia Gerike began covering breaking news for the Modesto Bee in February 2021. She graduated from Indiana University with degrees in journalism and international studies. Lydia has previously reported as a fellow or intern at the Indianapolis Star, Hartford Courant and Oregonian.
