Brittany Marie Reynolds, 35, was arrested Tuesday and charged with criminal mischief of more than $10,000, according to Cass County online booking and court records.
According to the Fargo Police Department, officers received a call at about 6:30 p.m. CST about a topless female damaging property at St. Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Fargo, KVLY-TV reported.
Police said that the video allegedly showed Reynolds approach a large statue of Jesus on a wall, according to court records. The statue was ripped from the wall and smashed on the floor, according to the video.
Reynolds can be seen leaving the church moments later, KVLY reported.
Church officials were unsure of the statue’s value but said a similar piece was found online for $11,500, according to the television station.
Reynolds is scheduled to appear in court on March 1, online records show.According to court records, Reynolds was not wearing a shirt, bra or shoes.
Police questioning Reynolds said she was unable to answer “basic questions” and appeared to be under the influence of narcotics, KVLY reported.
Surveillance video provided by Rev. Riley Durkin shows Reynolds entering the church and allegedly knocking over a potted plant, according to the television station.
Surveillance footage provided to police by the church showed Reynolds, 35, enter the church and knock over a potted plant.
She then approached a large statue of Jesus, ripped it off the wall and smashed it on the ground, according to court documents. She can then be seen leaving the church in the video.
Police estimate the statue could cost up to $11,500 to repair or replace, according to KVRR.
Reynolds was charged with criminal mischief, driving under the influence and providing false information to police officers, jail records show.
Church officials told Valley News Live the Cathedral has a policy of welcoming all guests.
“We don’t want this to be a closed cathedral, we want it to be open to all people at all times,” Paul Braun, the director of communications for the Diocese of Fargo, told the news outlet. “We just hope that people show the reverence and respect that they should for a house of God.”
This is not the first time a statue at the church has been vandalized — two years ago a statue of Jesus was spray painted black, according to Valley News Live.
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