Raleigh church vandalism remains under investigation

By Andrea Meador
Register-herald Reporter

May 15, 2008 11:19 pm

— Raleigh County sheriff’s detectives continue investigating an act of vandalism at a Stanaford Baptist church where the initials of a hate group were written on the chalkboard.
Members of New Era Baptist Church, off Cunningham Avenue, said they came in Wednesday evening to find “KKK” written on a chalkboard near the entrance. They then found a white, powdered cleanser dumped on the floor, pews, hymnals, piano and communion table. A Bible had been thrown on the floor.
Those responsible had also rummaged through drawers in a church office and table at the front. Members said the suspects, who likely entered through a window found broken, did not steal anything.
The 90-year-old church has 16 members, most of whom are black.
Sgt. Larry Lilly said Detective Cpl. Jim Canaday was following leads on the case Thursday.
“This is a very serious offense,” he said.
Lilly said the crime was possibly racially motivated, given what was on written on the chalkboard. But investigators cannot be certain until they find out who did it, then determine a motive.
— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com