Melbourne Police, FBI Increase Reward Money In Church Vandalism Investigations
By Space Coast Daily // September 22, 2015
offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Brevard FBI office is asking for the public’s assistance to solve multiple vandalism incidents involving the Shiloh Christian Center, New Shiloh Christian Center and the Central Baptist Church located in Melbourne.
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.
These institutions have been the victims of hate crimes including arson, burglary, grand theft, and vandalism.
The FBI has partnered with the Melbourne Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. 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
The perpetrators vandalized church property with hateful graffiti, including Nazi symbols and other hate language.
An eagle statute, similar to the one depicted above, was stolen from the New Shiloh Christian Center at 3900 Sarno Road in Melbourne 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 below graffiti image, which was discovered at two of the above sites.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents should contact the FBI at 1-866-838-1153 (toll free).
