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Vandals Trashed Church, Left Drug Paraphernalia Behind, Police Say

By Emily Morris | May 20, 2013 1:54pm | Updated on May 20, 2013 2:09pm
 Police said the International Harbor of Grace Church was vandalized in May.
Police said the International Harbor of Grace Church was vandalized in May.
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CHICAGO — When a deacon opened his Far Southeast Side church Saturday morning, he found the place of worship had been wrecked, according to police.

The vandalism happened sometime between May 13 and Saturday, during a period when the International Harbor of Grace Church in the 9700 block of South Avenue L was apparently closed, said Officer John Mirabelli, a Chicago Police Department spokesman.

The deacon opened the church in the East Side community on Saturday and found some of the pews removed and other property stolen, the baptismal pool damaged and gang graffiti on the walls and floors, Mirabelli said.

Glass bottles and drug paraphernalia also were strewn across the floor, Mirabelli said.

Police said a pipe organ was smashed and some of its keys ripped out.

Among the items taken were a smaller pipe organ and three computers used to teach children, Mirabelli said.

Police thought one or multiple people got into the church through one of the windows. A door was also pried open, Mirabelli said.

Police ask anyone with information about the vandalism to call detectives at 312-747-8272.