A series of vandalism incidents targeting historic churches and other properties across Philadelphia, including the 134-year-old Mother Bethel AME Church in Society Hill, has culminated in the arrest of a suspect on Thursday night. The spree, which involved rock throwing incidents that damaged stained glass windows among others, prompted a citywide investigation by Philadelphia police. The suspect, identified as Haneef Cooper, is now facing charges for these acts of vandalism that occurred earlier in the week, along with two additional Center City vandalism incidents. The incidents sparked an outpouring of support for the affected congregations, particularly from the community around Mother Bethel AME Church, which began raising funds for repairs. The arrest was made possible through the efforts of SEPTA police, who apprehended Cooper following surveillance operations on the city's bus and train systems.
Philadelphia community raises money for Mother Bethel AME Church after vandalism https://t.co/75hYGUYrC6
Man charged for Philadelphia vandalism spree that left 2 churches, other businesses damaged https://t.co/1uuMEt587k
Police have released the name of the man they took into custody on Thursday night in connection with a vandalism spree that targeted local churches and religious shrines in Philadelphia, officials with the DA's Office said. https://t.co/JG1Jzd98oV
#UPDATE: Officials have charged Haneef Cooper in two additional Center City vandalism incidents. Cooper was arrested Thursday and charged in connection with four other incidents this week, including breaking windows at two historic churches. Read more: https://t.co/fw5SV9ukPL https://t.co/bj6bC8EUlp
The man who was arrested in connection to a string of vandalisms this week is facing additional charges, police say. https://t.co/etCWZr1U2n
Police have identified the man who was arrested and charged for a string of vandalisms that left broken windows at churches and businesses in Philadelphia this week. https://t.co/l3YBRAuiG5
Man charged in Philadelphia church vandalism has history of similar acts, police say https://t.co/immYcfZJ2x
A Philadelphia man is facing vandalism charges after several rock throwing incidents that caused significant damage at several city churches. via @TMacDonaldWHYY https://t.co/647kPrk4Qv
Philadelphia Police brought a man in for questioning in connection with a spate of vandalism incidents across the city this week, including at the historic Mother Bethel AME Church and The National Shrine of St. John Neumann along with several businesses. https://t.co/pFx85OF9tR
The area has become a hotspot for acts of vandalism https://t.co/Bztmx4MoxX
Police arrested a man suspected of a vandalism spree earlier this week, causing damage to historic churches and other properties across Philadelphia. https://t.co/fw5SV9ukPL
Man sought in connection with vandalizing 2 churches in custody: police https://t.co/Zvp0VUpeyC
A person of interest was taken into custody on Thursday night in connection with a vandalism spree that targeted local churches and religious shrines in Philadelphia, sources said. https://t.co/qhhOvX6iCD
Man sought in connection with vandalizing 2 churches in custody https://t.co/EoYEeyqfkK
SEPTA police say they arrested the man wanted in connection to a vandalism spree in Philadelphia on Monday. @JohnnyNBC10 has the latest. https://t.co/nT1Pn1sT5F
A person is in custody in connection with a series of vandalism incidents across Philadelphia, Action News has learned. https://t.co/9Od16mH43B
SCOOP: Man WANTED for Vandalism spree Monday JUST ARRESTED @PhillyPolice sources tell me. @SEPTA police just arrested him at Bridge & Pratt. https://t.co/ppsnEYXBt9
Philadelphia police are searching for a suspect wanted in several vandalisms and who may have also damaged a historic Black church. https://t.co/PCsJEyaVSM
The National Shrine of Saint John Neumann. Among “7-10 churches & businesses vandalized” @PhillyPolice say by same WANTED guy who is riding @Septa buses & Market Frankford Line to get to the locations detectives tell me. They tracked him on Septa bus and train surveillance. 1/2 https://t.co/v55Oszjccx
Vandal targeted stained glass windows at the Saint John Neumann Shrine in Northern Liberties. Police investigating to see if it’s connected to vandalism at Bethel AME @6abc https://t.co/1DEPMqkqgo
Wanted: Suspect for Multiple Vandalisms in the 6th and 26th Districts [VIDEO] https://t.co/bn6zGBLgzn https://t.co/iRK96QJTiK
Philadelphia police search for vandal accused of damaging small businesses, historic church https://t.co/Svwh4m9SvV
Police are investigating after Philadelphia's historic Mother Bethel AME Church was vandalized and stained glass windows were broken. https://t.co/slrmbGPxqU
Early Monday morning, the historic Mother Bethel AME Church in Society Hill was vandalized. The damage to its historic stained glass windows will require skilled craftsmen to repair. https://t.co/Ft2PWNLpNe
Historic Philadelphia church vandalized, stained-glass windows shattered by rocks https://t.co/Y26WiLi4qF
Hi @311Toronto, this clearly hateful vandalism has been up for over a day. Never mind the blatant threat of violence with “kill”. I’ve submitted a report to @TorontoPolice of this Hate-Motivated Crime. @311Toronto, please advise when graffiti at Dundas/Sterling will be removed. https://t.co/htntFzqpcE
Philly police are investigating an act of vandalism at Mother Bethel AME Church. https://t.co/wxPJZlaXdK
Broken glass -- including stained glass windows -- marked were a vandal targeted one of Philadelphia's historic African American churches. Mother Bethel AME church Pastor Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler is thankful for the outpouring of support for his congregation. https://t.co/Q60wJ1J3zr https://t.co/wTwoj9ilT0
134-year-old historic church vandalized in Philadelphia's Society Hill https://t.co/f8rtYIFbqj