MEDIA ADVISORY
Man Arrested for Vandalizing 3 Catholic Churches
On Friday, January 13, 2023 at approximately 7:29 AM, the Gloucester Township Police Department received a call that a witness had observed a male subject later identified as Peter Sirolli throw a rock at Holy Child Parish, St. Teresa's Church located at 13 E. Evesham Road in Runnemede, NJ. The suspect then left in a white 2021 Toyota Pickup Truck. The witness followed the suspect in his vehicle and continued to provide police with information. At approximately 7:39 AM the suspect arrived at Our Lady of Hope Parish, St. Agnes Church located at 701 Little Gloucester Road, Blackwood, NJ 08012. The witness observed the suspect exit his vehicle and threw a brick through a large window above the main door causing extensive damage. The suspect then returned to his vehicle and drove across the parking lot to the Parish Center where he poured gasoline at the base of the metal flag pole displaying the American Flag and ignited the pole. The maintenance supervisor of the parish also witnessed this and yelled at the suspect to stop. The suspect then fled the area in his vehicle.
The original witness continued to follow the suspect while updating Gloucester Township Police on his location. An alert Gloucester Township Police Officer on patrol spotted the suspect vehicle on the Black Horse Pike near Church Street. The suspect initially failed to stop for police after the emergency lights and sirens were activated. The suspect drove at a very slow speed, and eventually pulled into Laurelwood 7th Day Adventist Church parking lot on Good Intent Road in Deptford, NJ. The suspect was taken into police custody without incident. It is not believed that the suspect is affiliated in any way with the Laurelwood 7th Day Adventist Church.
During the investigation a gas can and bricks were observed in the open bed of the suspect’s truck. The suspect was positively identified by multiple witnesses. It was later discovered that at 7:12 AM the suspect had lit a large wooden cross on fire in front of Holy Angels Parish, St. Patrick’s Church, located at 86 Cooper Street in Woodbury, NJ. Woodbury City Police and the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office confirmed that that evidence identified the Gloucester Township and Runnemede suspect as the same.
Through the collaborative investigative efforts of the Gloucester Township Police Department, Camden County Prosecutors Office, Runnemede Police, Woodbury City Police Department, and the Gloucester County Prosecutors Office, Camden County Fire Marshal’s Office, New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the US ATF the suspect is being charged with following crimes:
Woodbury City, Gloucester County the defendant was being charged with:
2C: 17-3a Criminal Mischief- 4th Degree
2C:17-1b 1 Arson- 3rd Degree
2C:33-9 Desecration of Sacred Object- DP
Runnemede, Camden County the defendant was charged with:
2C:39-4d- Weapons 3rd Degree (Brick)
2C:39-5d- Weapons 3rd Degree (Brick)
Gloucester Township, Camden County the defendant was charged with:
2C:29-2b Eluding- 2nd Degree
2C:17-3a1 Criminal Mischief- 3rd
2c:39-5d Weapons 4th
2C:39-4d Weapons 3rd
2C:16-1a1 Bias Intimidation 2nd Degree.
Suspect:
Peter A. Sirolli, dob: 12-30-1982
130 Crestview Avenue
Deptford, NJ 08096
Peter A. Sirolli was remanded to Camden County Correctional Facility pending Central First Appearance in accordance with the New Jersey Criminal Bail Reform Act.
If anyone witnessed the incident or has any information related to it please contact the Gloucester Township Police Department at (856) 228-4500 or out GTPD Anonymous Tip Line at (856) 842-5560. To send an anonymous tip via text message to GTPD please text the keyword "TIPGLOTWPPD" and your tip message to 888777.
Joint Media Release Approved By:
Chief David Harkins – Gloucester Township Police Department
Chief William Sampolski – Runnemede Police Department
Chief Thomas Ryan – Woodbury City Police Departmen
