BOYLE HEIGHTS (CNS) - The Archdiocese of Los Angeles was taking stock today of damage to the four-story St. Mary's Catholic Church in Boyle Heights damaged by a man in just boxer shorts who allegedly set the bell tower on fire before being into custody.
“The church building incurred some damage, including fire damage to the roof of the bell tower and some broken stained-glass windows, but thankfully no one was in the building at the time,'' said Archdiocese spokeswoman Itzel Magana. “The parish is currently assessing the extent of the damage.''
The parish has been part of the Boyle Heights community for more than a century, Magana said.
Los Angeles Fire Department units responded about 8:25 p.m. Wednesday to the church at 407 S. Chicago St. on reports of a possible jumper on the roof who appeared “to be trying to light the building on fire,'' according to the department's Margaret Stewart.
The fire on top of the church bell tower appeared to burn out without threat of spreading to the rest of the building, according to reports from the scene.
The man also appeared to kick a statue in an attempt to knock it over.
The suspect evaded police by jumping from rooftop to rooftop and swinging on cable lines. He also entered an apartment briefly but no occupants were harmed, CBS2 reported.
The man was taken into custody about 9:50 that night, KCAL9 reported.
Copyright 2021, City News Service, Inc.