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2 arrested in vandalism at Somerset churches

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, September 4, 2007

SOMERSET — The police arrested two teenagers Saturday for allegedly breaking into a Roman Catholic church and stealing several objects, including porcelain and gold chalices, a chalice bag, altar wine, a camera and a computer. The two were also charged with vandalizing St. Patrick Church, 306 South St.

Held for arraignment today in Fall River District Court were Mallory Bedard, 17, of 198 Vermont Ave., and Anthony Botelho, 19, of 197 Main St., second floor.

According to the police, the two broke into the church sometime Friday night or early Saturday.

“Investigating officers found that someone had eaten some of the hosts and spit some out at the crime scene, leaving them stuck to the floor and walls,” a news release from the police says. “A partially burned candle had ruined a piece of carpet, priest robes were thrown around, and many items, including many chalices and a computer, were stolen.” The items were recovered, the police said.

Interviews with the pair produced conflicting stories, the police said.

“Botelho claims that Bedard broke into the tabernacle, began eating hosts, and then robed herself with priests’ robes as he was lighting a candle after he put a dollar in the candle money depository,” the release states. “He admitted that they both went into the parish center and claims he was trying to persuade her to leave.”

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