Downtown Micah Ministries Vandalized For Third Time In A Week

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Two windows panes were broken Monday morning at the Micah Ecumenical Ministries building in downtown Fredericksburg, the third time in a week that windows have been broken at the building, according to the Fredericksburg Police Department.

In the latest incident, an employee contacted the police department at 9:30 a.m. on Monday that the window panes had been shattered. The police department said it is investigating the vandalism, although it is also asking for the public's assistance. The department is offering a cash reward for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect.

Micah Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit governed by area churches that cares for the city's homeless. The vandalized building, located at 1013 Princess Anne Street, is known as the Micah Hospitality Center. It provides food, clothing, showers, medical care and other services to homeless individuals in Fredericksburg.

The first incident of vandalism occurred on Jan. 17 when at 8:15 a.m., an employee reported a brick was thrown through one of the windows at the Micah Ministries location. The second incident occurred on Jan. 23 when at 8 a.m., an employee at the location reported a window pane was shattered. After the second incident, the police department assigned a detective to the case.

In late December, two churches in downtown Fredericksburg — the Shiloh Baptist Church, Old Site on Sophia Street and the Shiloh Baptist Church on Princess Anne Street — were vandalized.

At the Shiloh Baptist Church on Sophia Street, a report was made on Dec. 27 that a brick had been thrown through a stained glass window. The police department released video surveillance of a suspect throwing a brick through the Shiloh Baptist Church on Sophia Street. At the Shiloh Baptist Church on Princess Anne Street, a report was made on Dec. 27 that two windows were broken.

"It is possible that all the vandalisms are connected, but there is no way for us to know for sure at this point in the investigation," a police department spokeswoman said.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents is asked to contact the Fredericksburg Police Department at 540-373-3122. To make an anonymous tip, send a text to 847-411 and text FPDtip followed by the tip.