Man Charged with Felony Vandalism for Destroying Religious Property

Prosecutors in Los Angeles say that a man who used a sledgehammer to destroy a religious monument outside of the St. Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church is facing felony charges of vandalism, but not hate crime charges.

The defendant, Victor Petrescu, appeared in Los Angeles County Superior Court to answer to a long list of charges which included felony vandalism of religious property. His charges were enhanced due to the fact that the damage he caused exceeded $50,000.  Victor Petrescu is also facing a misdemeanor count of possessing a sledgehammer with intent to commit vandalism and graffiti and having a suspended and revoked driver's license.

In court, he pled not guilty to all charges.  He remained in police custody in lieu of $160,000 bail.

Originally, police in the city of Glendale had presented the case as a hate crime. However, prosecutors settled for felony vandalism charges.

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