​5 Arrested For Vandalizing Statue​ At San Rafael Church: Police

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Five people were arrested for vandalizing a Junipero Serra statue at a San Rafael church, police said Tuesday.

Demonstrators threw red paint, removed protective tape covering, and spray painted the statue around 5:30 p.m. Monday, and about 15 minutes later, pulled down the statue on the grounds of the Church of Saint Raphael at 1104 Fifth Ave., according to the San Rafael Police Department.

A week before the incident, police learned through social media that a planned protest called for the vandalism and possible removal of the statue.

Police said they worked with representatives of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, which the church is a part of, to plan a response to the protest. They were asked to use de-escalation techniques and minimize interactions that might lead officers to use force against the demonstrators.

"The Archdiocese supported a civil protest and stated that they wanted to prosecute any offenders who damaged or vandalized their property," police Sgt. Justin Graham said.

"During the planning process, it was recognized that the main priority would be to safeguard individuals from violence," Graham added. "A decision was made not to get directly involved in or interact with the demonstration as it was not our intention to inflame or escalate behaviors during the protest."

Officers were deployed in and around the church area to monitor and document the protest activities, police said. At the peak of the protest, there were an estimated 40 to 45 participants.

After the statue was pulled down, officers contacted the five people they eventually arrested.

"As the suspects left the protest location, they were contacted away from the other participants' views," Graham said. "This tactic was used to keep the peace and avoid conflict with multiple protestors and police officers."

Officers arrested 40-year-old Oakland resident Ines Gardilcic, 29-year-old Oakland resident Victoria Montanopena, 36-year-old Novato resident Melissa Aguilar, 36-year-old San Rafael resident Mayorgi Degadillo, and 25-year-old San Anselmo resident Moira Van de Walker.

They were each cited on suspicion of felony vandalism and released, police said. The case was sent to the Marin County District Attorney's Office for prosecution.

"The San Rafael Police Department takes all criminal matters seriously," Graham said.

"During this incident and the subsequent destruction of the statue, it was considered that the statue could be replaced or repaired and that the importance of using sound judgment and de-escalation techniques was paramount to preventing physical interactions between officers and protestors."

Anyone with more information about the incident was asked to contact San Rafael police at 415-485-3000. Tips can also be submitted online.