FBI Offers $5,000 Reward In Church Vandalism Cases

MELBOURNE, Florida – The Melbourne Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are asking for the public’s assistance to help solve multiple vandalism incidents involving the Shiloh Christian Center, New Shiloh Christian Center and the Central Baptist Church located in Melbourne, Florida.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification and arrests of those responsible for these criminal acts. Authorities say that these institutions have been the victims of hate crimes including arson, burglary, grand theft, and vandalism. The perpetrators vandalized church property with graffiti, including Nazi symbols and other language deemed hateful by investigators.

Investigators believe the same individuals are responsible for the criminal acts at all three sites. The incidents occurred on the following dates and locations: 

February 16, 2015 – New Shiloh Christian Center at 3900 Sarno Road Melbourne, Florida
March 24, 2015 – Shiloh Christian Center at 155 East University Melbourne, Florida
March 24, 2015 – Central Baptist Church at 2503 Country Club Road, Melbourne, Florida
July 12, 2015 – New Shiloh Christian Center at 3900 Sarno Road Melbourne, Florida

 
Also, an eagle statute, similar to the one depicted below, was stolen from the New Shiloh Christian Center at 3900 Sarno Road Melbourne, Florida and the FBI is seeking any information on the whereabouts of this statute. Additionally, the FBI would like to speak to anyone who is familiar with the graffiti image, which was discovered at two of the crime scenes.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents should contact the FBI at 1-866-838-1153 (toll free).