Vandals cause extensive damage at Calvary Chapel in Pocatello

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — A Pocatello church is dealing with thousands of dollars in damage after someone vandalized the building on Monday.

According to Pastor Nathan Abbate of Calvary Chapel, someone gained access to the church between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. after the building's front doors were accidentally left unlocked.

Abbate said the vandal caused extensive damage throughout the church, including all three floors. Highland High School, located across the street, stores band equipment inside the chapel. Several instruments were reportedly damaged beyond repair.

The vandal also smashed televisions and poured oil over the church's sound booth equipment, which church leaders say could be costly to replace.

In addition to the property damage, racist slurs were written on the sound booth and on the carpeting inside the building.

Upstairs, the suspect removed ice cream from a freezer and dumped it on the floor. Other food items were also thrown around several rooms, according to church officials.

Cleanup crews are cleaning and repairing the damage.

The Pocatello Police Department responded to the church around 7 p.m. on Monday. Lt. Akilah Lacey said the vandalism remains under investigation.

Investigators have collected fingerprints from items inside the church as they work to identify a suspect.

The church does not have security cameras. Calvary Chapel is asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity or seen someone entering the building between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday to contact the police.

Abbate said he cannot think of a reason someone would target the church or write the racist messages, but the congregation is now left dealing with significant property losses.