Teen Accused of Hate Crime in Church Break-in
Wingnuts • August 2012 • Views: 692
A teenager faces a hate-crime charge after authorities say he helped vandalize a southwestern Illinois church.
Prosecutors in St. Clair County also have charged 18-year-old Codie Engelke of Belleville with burglary and criminal damage to property. He’s jailed on $150,000 bond.
Investigators say the pastor of Belleville’s New Freedom Baptist Church saw several people enter the place of worship July 31. Police who were summoned say they found racial epithets written inside, as well as other vandalism.