2 minors arrested for vandalizing Goshen church, deputies say

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Two minors were arrested for vandalizing a church in Goshen on Wednesday morning.

Tulare County Sheriff's deputies responded to the Mount Zion Church on Avenue 308 near Road 72 for reports of vandalism.

Two of the doors at the Christian-based church had been shattered by a rock.

The suspects, described as two male juveniles, were arrested a few hours later in Visalia near Ridgeview Middle School.

"It's very sad that these young boys would do something like this and come to the church and vandalize it for no reason," said Regina Brito, a churchgoer.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office estimates the total damage equals more than $1,000.

But for church leaders, they say it's not all about the cost.

Brito has been going to Mt. Zion for the last two years.

She tells Action News they are saddened to see someone doing harm to an organization trying to help locals.

"The church is here for our community and for them to do something like this it's unthinkable," said Brito.

Church leaders say this isn't the first time someone throws a rock and breaks through their doors.

Earlier in the year, the same door was broken by someone who threw a rock at it.

Although it is unknown if it was the same suspects that were arrested for the most recent crime, Brito hopes this will be a lesson learned from them.

"Hopefully they will learn from this and hopefully one day they'll come to church. You never know," explained Brito.

The church says they will continue their services and upcoming food drives and events as normal.

Deputies say this continues to be an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Tulare County Sheriff's Office at (559) 802-9400.

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