UPDATED: 2/24/24, 3:55 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police have charged a suspect in a vandalism spree across Philadelphia in two additional incidents, after he was apprehended and charged with causing damage to four other buildings earlier this week, including two historic churches.
SEPTA Transit Police took the suspect into custody around 9 p.m. Thursday at the Frankford Transportation Center, according to a spokesperson with the transit agency. He was waiting for a Route 20 bus.
Earlier in the day, Philadelphia police released surveillance images of the suspect, later identified as 39-year-old Haneef Cooper. Authorities said he vandalized at least six properties between South Philadelphia, Old City and Northern Liberties in a matter of hours on Monday.
One of those properties was the historic Mother Bethel AME Church. The suspect threw rocks through the church’s stained glass windows, which date back to the 1890s, church officials said. Repairs are estimated around $18,000, according to the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, which is raising money to offset the costs.
St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church at Fifth Street and Girard Avenue — the site of the national shrine to Saint John Neumann — was also vandalized. Three stained glass windows were broken. Repairs are expected to cost around $20,000.
“You need a skilled artisan to correct what's been damaged. But thanks be to God, it seems as though it can be remedied,” Father Michael Cunningham told NBC10. “It should be able to be repaired, but it is extensive damage.”
Police say he also broke windows at the Science History Institute in Old City, as well as an electronics store and a Playa Bowls in Center City. Cooper is also accused of knocking over a large flower pot at the Touraine Apartments in Center City.
Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore credits eyewitness descriptions with helping investigators identify Cooper in surveillance footage. “They were able to gather video from several locations with an individual that matched our offender — a very distinct description of a long coat [and] Phillies cap. He had some things stuffed under the cap [and] he had a backpack on,” said Vanore.
Cooper is charged with six counts each of criminal mischief and possession of an instrument of crime, in addition to two charges of institutional vandalism for the two church incidents. Police say he has prior charges connected to vandalism incidents, as well as assaulting a detective.
There’s no word yet on a possible motive.