The suspect is charged with setting fire to the cross in front of St. Patrick’s Church, Woodbury. He faces further charges for damaging a window at Our Lady of Hope Church, Gloucester Township, and trying to break a window at St. Theresa’s Church, Runnemede.
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Camden County, NJ (January 14, 2023)(CNBnewsnet)- A Deptford man has been charged with Bias Intimidation and multiple weapons offenses after setting fires and causing property damage at several churches on Friday morning, reported Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay, Runnemede Police Chief William Sampolski, Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins, and Woodbury Police Chief Thomas Ryan.
On January 13, 2023, at approximately 7:11 a.m., Peter Sirolli, 40, of Deptford, New Jersey, is accused of setting a 10-foot cross on fire on the lawn of the St. Patrick’s Church in Woodbury, New Jersey.
Sirolli is accused of going to St. Theresa’s Church in Runnemede, and at approximately 7:29 a.m., he attempted to throw a rock through the church’s window. Sirolli is then accused of traveling to the Our Lady of Hope Church in Gloucester Township, and at approximately 7:39 a.m., he allegedly broke a window with a rock. Sorelli is also accused of lighting the church’s flagpole on fire that displayed the American flag.
At approximately 7:45 a.m., Sirolli was stopped by police in his vehicle in Deptford, and Gloucester Township Police officers took him into custody.
Sirolli has been arrested and charged with the following offenses by the Runnemede, Gloucester Township, and Woodbury Police Departments:
Runnemede Police Department Charges:
- 3rd degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
- 4th degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
Gloucester Township Police Department Charges:
- 3rd degree Possession of a Weapon Unlawful Purpose
- 4th degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
- 3rd degree Criminal Mischief
- 2nd degree Eluding
- 2nd degree Bias Intimidation
Woodbury Police Department Charges:
- 4th degree Criminal Mischief
- 3rd degree Arson
- Desecration of a Sacred Object-Disorderly Persons
- 4th degree Bias Intimidation
All individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact CCPO Major Crimes Unit Detective Cody Skinner at (856) 580-6053 and Gloucester Township Police Detective Dennis Richards at (856) 374-5706. Tips can also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS.
