Full Notification

(San Gabriel, CA) - The San Gabriel Police Department is investigating a felony vandalism that occurred at the San Gabriel Mission Church Cemetery, located at 428 South Mission Drive. During the early morning hours of January 21, 2015, a “Sacred Heart of Jesus” tombstone at a grave site and another large figurine statue were desecrated within the cemetery. Vandals overturned a large granite grave marker of Jesus Christ and then smashed the tombstone to pieces with a large rock. The suspect(s) also attempted to overturn a second granite statue of Jesus Christ measuring approximately 15 feet tall, but were unsuccessful because of its substantial height and weight; however, the wooden cross on the figurine was broken off. According to Church officials, the total damage is estimated to be in excess of $50,000 dollars.

“This is a tragic and despicable incident, and whoever is responsible for this should be ashamed of their actions and brought to justice,” said San Gabriel Police Chief David A. Lawton. “The San Gabriel Police Department will aggressively investigate this case and make every effort to arrest the suspect(s).”

Anyone with information related to this crime is urged to contact the San Gabriel Police Department at (626) 308-2828 or Detective Woolwine at (626) 308-2837. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org."

Refer to Case Number: 2015-00175