A Theft and Mysterious Graffito Shake Up St. James Church

Police are investigating the disappearance of a statue from the community garden on Sonoma Mountain Parkway near East Washington Street.

Garden volunteers noticed a large statue of an angel with folded wings missing on Saturday, according to garden manager Lois Pearson. The statue was about five feet tall and mounted to a cement base.

"It's pretty heavy, so it must have been at least two people who moved it," Pearson said. Then today, Tuesday, volunteers noticed an inscription at the base of a statue of Mary, reading "Heaven 8-5-13."

In the Gospel of John, Chapter 8, Verses 5-13 tell the famous Biblical story of a woman who has committed adultery and is about to be stoned to death. But then Jesus addresses the crowd and reminds them of their own sin, proclaiming the well-known line of "let the one who is without sin cast the first stone."

Police are still looking into the incident and had no immediate comment on whether the inscription was connected to the Biblical passage. Pearson said she had no idea what the numbers meant.

The St. James Church community garden was started by Pearson three years ago on an empty plot of land next the church and today grows food for the dining hall. The garden is unlocked, but the church has never had any problems with vandalism or theft, Pearson said.

Last week's incident comes on the heels of other vandalism at houses of worship and cemeteries. Last month, someone stole an angel figurine from a child's grave at Cypress Hill Memorial Park and in January 2011, vandals smashed planters at the of B Street. It is not clear if the incidents are connected.

If you have any information about any of the incidents of vandalism, contact the Petaluma Police Department at 707-778-4372.