After being accused of throwing a rock at a Lutheran church in Queens, the alleged repeat offender was held on bail after the incident.
He was given supervised release the year before despite being accused of a list of crimes, including one that targeted St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Bailed Vandal to Undergo Psychiatric Exam
According to the NYC Post, in relation to the incident on Jan. 29 at Grace Lutheran Church, Juan Velez, 29, was arraigned on Monday, Feb. 6, in Queens Criminal Court on three charges.
Such charges include one count of aggravated harassment in the first degree and two counts of criminal mischief in the fourth, one of which was classified as a hate crime.
According to the District Attorney's Office and papers found online, Judge Marty Lentz issued an order requiring Velez to be held on bail in the amount of $50,000 cash or $150,000 bond.
Velez is seen on video laughing and smirking at a surveillance camera as he throws the rock at the church in Forest Hills in broad daylight. He reportedly did this twice because his first attempt did not break the glass.
Thus, according to the documents, he will also be subjected to a psychological evaluation as part of the proceedings.
A week later, on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 5, police said they could place him under their custody.
Velez Recent Vandal Crime in Queens
This week, the serial vandal suspected of throwing a wrench through Cardinal Timothy Dolan's house at St. Patrick's Cathedral was arrested again for reportedly throwing a rock in Queens' Lutheran church while smirking for a CCTV camera.
Juan Velez, who had been previously freed on supervised release for 15 acts of vandalism, including the incident targeting St. Patrick's on Oct. 28, was arrested once more on Sunday, Feb. 6, for the crime in Queens, according to the police.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, Velez allegedly hurled a rock through the front glass door of Grace Lutheran Church, which is located on Union Turnpike in Forest Hills near 71st Road.
While throwing the rock at the church in broad daylight, he can be seen grinning at a surveillance camera in the video.
A week later, on the same day of the week, he was taken into custody and charged with two charges of criminal mischief: one as a hate crime and the other to destroy property, according to the police.
Velez was freed on bail for the incident on St. Patrick's Day and 14 other alleged offenses dating back to March. This was made possible by the state's cashless bail laws, which have been the subject of much criticism in recent years.
Vandalism at Cardinal Dolan's Residence at St. Patrick's Cathedral
The Catholic News Agency has reported a similar story about the vandalism of Juan Velez at Cardinal Dolan's Residence at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Velez was taken into custody due to an inquiry following a spate of vandalism that occurred in October and lasted for two days.
According to the information provided by the police, Velez has been charged with 15 different counts of criminal mischief in Manhattan.
Attacks on churches were the focus of three of those incidents.
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