Alert officer ID’s and arrests suspect for vandalizing church

August 13, 2011   ·   0 Comments

 BOCA RATON — A suspect who allegedly vandalized Boca Raton Community Church on NW 4th Avenue did not suspect a video camera was watching him while he was committing the crime, according to a police report.

 When the Boca Raton police officer arrived shortly before 11 a.m. July 29, a church employee told him that he found a front window shattered and four bollard sidewalk lights knocked over. The church employee gave the officer a copy of the video from the security cameras that showed the suspect committing the crime.

 Police said the officer viewed the video and saw the suspect throw a sprinkler donut through the window. The officer recognized the person in the video as Jeraad Valkenaar, 32, a local resident who has had numerous contacts with officers over the past several years and lives only a quarter mile from the church.

 The officer arrested Valkenaar Aug. 4 when he saw him walking down the street. The suspect was arrested and charged with vandalism to a church, synagogue, mosque or religious art.

 

By Online Staff