COLORADO SPRINGS – More than a week after a historic chapel was vandalized at Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs are sharing a surveillance video showing the suspects involved in hopes that someone will help identify them.
The incident took place on November 24.
The chapel has been around for more than 100 years, since 1909.
“They were looking for something to steal but there’s nothing really nothing of value inside the chapel,” said Jody Sanchez-Skamarak, the cemetery manager.
Even though nothing was taken from inside, staff are still dealing with the aftermath left outside.
“I think they kicked this door in so they could get into the chapel,” described Sanchez-Skamarak as she pointed to two boarded up doors around back.
“They saw there was no way in through here.”
Sanchez-Skamarak has been at the cemetery for 27 years, she says this is the most destructive case of vandalism she’s seen to date.
“This is where they broke the glass window,” she pointed to a boarded up window in the front of the chapel.
“They threw a couple of bricks through there.”
The stained glass requires expert repair and the total cost for damages are likely in $2,000 range.
Though its the intent of those who barged in which weigh more heavily on this community.
“It’s supposed to be a sacred place,” Sanchez-Skamarak said.
“For somebody to do that is just shameful.”
Now the staff at Evergreen Cemetery are planning to beef up security at the chapel with a new alarm system.
Of course, if you have any information that could help police, call Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.
