Pride and Black Lives Matter flags were set on fire, handmade 200-year-old shutters and antique glass windows were destroyed and a fire extinguisher was sprayed throughout the building at First Parish Unitarian Church in Kingston on Thursday, the police department said.
Overall damage estimates have not been made, police said, but they said the damage was “significant” and that it is likely in the tens of thousands.
“We are shocked and saddened at this act of vandalism against our beloved church,” the church wrote in a Facebook post.
Jonathan White, 43, of Plymouth, was arrested and is facing several felony charges in connection with the damage and burning of the church.
Police said White entered the church overnight ripping and smashing parts of the old church. When he set fire to the flags, police claim, parts of the building were charred too.
As police were investigating during the morning of July 4, White was watching the police officers, the department stated. This, police said, is “common for arsonists.”
One of the Kingston Police Department detectives tried to stop White but police said he yelled at the detective, took off in his SUV, hit a sign and fled. He was stopped “shortly down the road,” police said.
Police are asking that anyone living in the 200-250 block of Main Street, or the side streets that connect to this area, to review their home surveillance cameras from about midnight until 6:30 a.m Thursday for video of a white 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe. The SUV has a spot light outside of the driver’s door, similar to a police cruiser light, police said.
Those with information are asked to contact Detective Lieutenant Michael Skowyra at mskowyra@kpdmass.org or 781-585-0523 ext. 6662.
