GLENDALE : 4 Members of Satanic Cult Arrested for Tagging Church
Four cult members who supposedly wanted to incite racial unrest were arrested on suspicion of spray-painting a church with satanic symbols and slogans several weeks ago, police said.
The men were taken into custody over the last four days as officers served search warrants in connection with the Feb. 26 desecration of the First United Methodist Church, 134 N. Kenwood St., said Glendale police Agent Linda Reynolds.
“This was a hate crime where a satanic cult defaced the church . . . in their attempt to incite racial unrest,” Reynolds said.
Booked on suspicion of felony vandalism to a church with the intent of preventing parishioners from practicing their religion were Robert Nusslein, 19, of Los Angeles, Phillip Dunigan and Damian Chavez, both 18 and from San Gabriel, and Dennis Clark, 31, of Pasadena, Reynolds said.
Chavez also was booked on weapons violations, she said.
The men were held on $150,000 bail each.
A church maintenance worker discovered the graffiti shortly before Sunday services, which went on as scheduled.
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