According to Orangetown police, the infant Jesus statue in the Pearl River community creche was vandalized at some point early Monday morning.
The statue was spray painted. It was the only figure attacked, according to Orangetown Police Sgt. Gerald Bottari.
After police were alerted to the vandalism, they let community organizers who assemble the creche each year know about it. As of Tuesday afternoon, the spray painted baby Jesus was removed and replaced with a different one.
"It's really heartbreaking," said Bob Reers of the Procession of Children organizing committee. "You feel horrible because it is the (Christmas) season. If you watch, you see how many people come by. It's a lovely experience."
The incident is still under investigation and Reers said there is a $300 reward. Anyone with information about the vandalism can call the Orangetown Police at (845) 359-3700.
“Right now, we’re going to look into it and see what we can find out,” Bottari said.
Last year, Orangetown Police caught two men stealing the baby Jesus statue. Vandals damaged a number of statues within the manger in 2009.
