Vulgar images spray painted on church

PHOENIX - It was probably supposed to be just a harmless teenage prank, but it awry and now they're wanted for a felony after a vulgar images were spray painted on the Calvario church near 43rd Avenue and Osborn Road.

"There's three suspects that trespassed onto the church property and ended up spray painting the letters W, west and then male genitalia onto the walls of the church," said Detective Kim Bates.

Bates says the culprits appear to be teenagers. Surveillance video captured them running onto the property on Friday, September 18th between 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

"They did try to cover up identities by using shirts to cover their faces. They even damaged some of the surveillance cameras in an attempt to hide their identities,"said Bates.

More video shows the teens, believed to be between 12 and 15 years old, using the hoods on their sweatshirts to conceal their faces. Police say when the teens realized there were video cameras recording them, they sprayed over the lenses.

"Teenagers sometimes think they are being funny because they're just being children, but unfortunately, in this case, when you do put things onto churches like this, it does make it a felony and so we are treating this as a serious crime," said Bates.

If caught, the teens will be charged with felony criminal damage. The video is a little grainy, but police hope someone will recognize the suspects before they strike again.

If you have any information about this case, call Silent Witness. You can remain anonymous and receive a cash award for tips leading to an arrest or indictment.

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