Virgin Mary Statue At Long Island Church Duct Taped

HEWLETT, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police on Monday were searching for three vandals who duct taped a revered statue of the Virgin Mary at a church on Long Island.

CBS2's Emily Smith reported the statue at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hewlett in western Nassau County was completely wrapped in multi-colored tape.

"I mean, it's despicable. I can't imagine someone doing something like that to a religious symbol," parishioner Vanessa Ruiz said.

Church officials quickly removed the tape from the statue, but the scars are still visible.

Police said the suspects struck at noon on Saturday and were recorded by several nearby cameras aimed toward the statue.

In the surveillance video, police said "three male juveniles, two wearing yarmulkes, were observed carrying rolls of tape."

Neither the church nor the police are releasing the video yet. Hewlett resident Mark Ensley said it sends the wrong message from his generation.

"I don't know who would find pleasure out of that, it is pointless," Ensley said. "What are they gaining? What are they getting out of it?"

The statue is prominently displayed at the church's back entrance. Long-time parish worker Elizabeth Capone said it served elegantly as a heavenly backdrop for generations of Catholics.

"It means a lot. My son and daughter both had their confirmation picture in front of the statue," Capone said.

Police said it will be investigated as a possible hate crime because two of the vandals wore yarmulkes, but parishioners are left puzzled by the vandals' description.

"Whether for religious reasons or playing a joke, it's terrible and it shouldn't be done," said parishioner Vanessa Ruiz.

The parish is now left with the bill for repairs to the statue that will run into the hundreds of dollars.

Police said they are still trying to identify the vandals and the suspects will be charged with criminal tampering once they are caught.