2 Charged In Bel Air Church Vandalism

BEL AIR, MD — Police said two Harford County man have been charged in the burglary of a Bel Air church. Bias-related graffiti was found at Bel Air United Methodist Church Sept. 14, according to officials.

Blaine K. Kluge, 24, of Forest Hill, and Nigel Hambrook, 24, of Bel Air, are charged, police reported this week.

Kluge, of the 1900 block of Pleasantville Road, and Hambrook, of the 1300 block of Bennett Place, face eight charges, court records show:

• Second-degree burglary
• Fourth-degree burglary
• Theft less than $100
• Malicious destruction of property less than $1,000
• Defacing religious property
• Three counts of defacing an institution because of religious animosity

Kluge is being held without bail at the Harford County Detention Center pending a Nov. 27 preliminary hearing in Harford County District Court.

Hambrook was released on $7,500 bond Oct. 30. He is slated to appear for a Nov. 27 hearing as well.

The charges against Kluge and Hambrook stem from what authorities say they found after a burglary alarm went off at the church in the unit block of Linwood Avenue in Bel Air.

Two people got into the church through a rooftop hatch, according to police.

A swastika, racial slur and anti-gay graffiti were spray-painted in the enclosed area behind the altar, police reported.

Officials said a small organ pipe was stolen too.

Anyone with more information may call Detective Alex Maro of the Bel Air Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 410-638-4524 or amaro@belairmd.org.

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