Homophobic Slur Spray Painted, Rainbow Flag Stolen From Church

HOMER GLEN, IL — A church in Homer Glen has experienced several incidents of vandalism over the past two months, according to the Will County Sheriff's office. Deputies spoke to the pastor of Cross of Glory Lutheran Church, 14719 W. 163rd St., on Jan. 15 about the thefts and vandalism at the church, police reports state.

According to police reports, a rainbow flag that hangs on a parking lot pole has been stolen three times, on Dec. 12, Dec. 14 and Dec. 27. Video footage revealed two teenagers climbed the pole and ripped the flag down.

On Dec. 31, the front drive blacktop was also found to have been spray painted with a homophobic slur in white paint, reports state. Church members removed the slur.

Lastly, on Jan. 13, the church found two large metal grills, which had been on the patio area, had been moved and pushed down a nearby hill.