Third Las Cruces church vandalized in one week

Another Las Cruces church has been vandalized, adding to the two that were damaged this week, ABC-7 has confirmed.

“I have no idea why the churches are being targeted,” said Jack Thomas, the chair of the board of trustees at University United Methodist Church.

Sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning, a vandal threw a rock that broke two windows near the church’s office, Thomas said.

“I was pretty upset,” Thomas said. “I was happy that they didn’t get inside the building.”

On Tuesday, ABC-7 reported on vandalism at two other churches around town.

The Diocese of Las Cruces confirmed that college boys turned themselves in on Tuesday after admitting they broke a window and a statue, as well as urinating on the church’s steps.

“They’re making it right,” said Deacon Jim Winder. “I wish everybody in the world would do that.”

However, members of the Unitarian Universalist Church on Solano said they have yet to determine who vandalize their campus with racist and obscene graffiti.

“It upsets us all,” said Charlie Scholz, the president of the board of directors for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces.

Despite the damage, Thomas said his congregation would welcome the vandals into their church to pray.

“Our preacher said that they’re more than welcome to come to our church anytime,” Thomas said. “We’d just like them to come through the doors and not try to break in.”

Anyone with information on the two unsolved acts of vandalism is encouraged to contact the Las Cruces Police Department at 575-526-0795.