PROVO, Utah — A man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly broke multiple windows of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Provo Temple.
Provo Police say they received a report around 3:30 p.m. that a man had smashed some of the temple's front windows with a hammer before fleeing the area in a vehicle.
The church provided police with security camera footage, which showed a partial license plate and a description of the car the suspect was driving.
Police were able to track the vehicle to 30-year-old Weston Huff, and he was arrested at his townhouse around 6 p.m. after police observed tool boxes in the back seat of his vehicle.
Huff was booked into the Utah County Jail, where he faces 3rd-degree felony charges of property damage/destruction.
A maintenance worker estimated the temple suffered up to $1,800 in damage.
Despite the damage, church officials said the temple was operating as usual on Wednesday.
"We are saddened by the vandalism that occurred yesterday at the Provo Utah Temple but are grateful no one was injured and that operations were not affected," a statement from Irene Caso, Church spokeswoman reads in part. "Local authorities are investigating, and the Church is working closely with them. Questions regarding this vandalism should be directed to local law enforcement.”
The Provo Temple is slated for demolition and reconstruction in the coming years. The church announced that it will close to members at the end of the day on Feb. 24, 2024.
