Lantana police seek vandals who defaced church, police memorial

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Police in Palm Beach County are investigating a series of vandalism incidents in Lantana, including historic churches and a memorial for fallen police officers.

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Police say one of the town’s oldest buildings, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, was defaced with upside-down crosses and other anti-Christian graffiti.

Police are asking the public for help identifying the vandals.

“I’m sickened. It’s very sickening to me. I imagine most people are disgusted by it,” Lantana Mayor Karen Lythgoe said.

Police are working to find out who took a late-night trip around Lantana with a spray paint bottle, vandalizing several locations.

“Who does something like this? Someone who is not a good person,” Lantana resident Cindy Sousa said.

Upside-down crosses and other anti-Christian graffiti covered the chapel, upsetting neighbors.

“I used to be a teacher in the monetary priest school. It’s heartbreaking to see this,” Sousa said. “It’s disgusting to see the side of that building decimated like that.”

A few blocks away, a memorial for fallen police officers was also desecrated. The word “pigs” was painted on the stone.

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“These are people that gave their lives serving the community,” Lythgoe said.

Across the street from the memorial, more graffiti was found on the back of an abandoned strip mall. A Burger King dumpster was also vandalized.

Assistant Chief Daniel Navas with the Lantana Police Department said investigators believe the incidents happened at some point over the weekend.

“We’re not leaving any leaves unturned. We’re exploring every option,” Navas said.

No arrests have been made.

“We’re outraged and we’re committed to locating and holding those accountable who damaged the memorial,” Navas said.

The fallen officers memorial has since been restored, with the paint scrubbed away.

Lythgoe said the community came together to create the memorial out of respect.

“We should all be coming together, not destroying the communities we live in,” she said. “There’s no point in defacing property.”

Police are asking people to check their security and Ring cameras for any information that could help identify the vandals.

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Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lantana Police Department.