BLACKWOOD, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Gloucester Township police say a man is being charged with committing a string of hate crimes at Catholic churches in South Jersey early Friday morning.
Police say that just after 7:10 a.m., Peter Sirolli, 40 of Deptford, went to Holy Angels Parish - Saint Patrick Church in Woodbury.
“At that time, we believe he used an accelerant — gasoline — to splash a wooden cross that’s in front of the church and ignited that,” said Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins.
Sirolli then went to Holy Child Parish - Saint Teresa Church in Runnemede, where he tried to throw a brick through a stained glass window, according to authorities.
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Harkins said a witness helped police locate the suspect.
“After he had struck at Saint Teresa Church, a witness saw him throw this brick. He proceeded to follow the suspect, called Gloucester Township police dispatch and was relaying information. He followed him all the way to Saint Agnes Church in Gloucester Township,” said Harkins.
Police say the witness saw Sirolli throw a brick through a church window at Our Lady of Hope - Saint Agnes Church, then went to a building across the parking lot and use gasoline to light the flag pole on fire.
Investigators say that law enforcement officers were led on a low speed chase and arrested Sirolli when he pulled into another church parking lot.
Police say this investigation is ongoing.
Sirolli is charged with criminal mischief, arson, bias intimidation, and weapon offenses.
Because these were attack on religious institutions, the ATF is assisting with the investigation.