Holy Rosary church in the area of 114 Avenue and 106 Street has been subject to two incidents of vandalism days apart in September of this year, as well as an arson to a culturally significant nativity display in December of 2023.
On Sep. 18, 2024 at approximately 9 p.m., a male and a female suspect approached the church and damaged a security camera before being startled by an approaching vehicle and fleeing the scene. The male suspect is described as white, approximately 30 years old, with dark hair, thin facial hair and tattoos on both forearms. He was smoking a cigarette at the time, and was wearing glasses, a black and white jacket, knee-length jean shorts, a black and white Louis Vuitton logo ball cap, and a thick gold chain. The female suspect had shoulder length brown hair, and was wearing a pink ball cap, a jean vest, and grey jeans with ripped knees. She was carrying a brown purse and black tote bag.
Male suspect in Sep. 18 mischief incident
Female suspect in Sept. 18 mischief incident
Two days later, on Sep. 20, 2024, at approximately 4 a.m., a male suspect spray painted the church’s statue of Pope John Paul with the word “burn” while another male subject looked on. The suspect is described as tall, with a medium build, wearing a medical mask, grey hoodie, navy blue jacket, grey pants with a wide black stripe on the upper portion of the pants, black runners, and yellow leather work gloves, and was carrying a white can of spray paint.
While it is unclear if the male suspect is the same in both September instances, investigators note that the church has experienced an unusually high number of incidents in the past year.
On Dec. 28, 2023, just before 2 a.m., a male suspect lit the church’s nativity display on fire before fleeing on foot. “Church community members have told us that the nativity display was handcrafted by a parishioner decades ago, and is culturally significant,” says Acting Sgt. Cydney Ross, with the EPS Hate Crimes Unit, which is leading the investigation. “Due to its unique nature, the display was irreplaceable, and had sentimental value to the church community.”
“The cumulative effect of these events has resulted in the church and surrounding community feeling unsafe, particularly the residents who live at the rectory on site, as well as the occupants and users of the neighbouring convent and daycare building,” adds Acting Sgt. Ross.
Anyone who can identify any of the suspects are asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
The EPS takes hate-motivated incidents and crimes very seriously. These events hurt not only the victim, but the vicarious trauma has an impact on entire communities. Hate incidents can now be reported online. Hate crimes should be reported to police at 911 if it’s an emergency, or 780-423-4567 if it is not an emergency.
For more information about the difference between hate-motivated incidents and hate-motivated crime, visit the EPS website.