RUNNEMEDE, NJ – A man who threw a rock at Holy Child Parish, St. Theresa’s Church in Runnemede and burned the flagpole at St. Agnes Church in Blackwood has been arrested and charged.
Police say Peter Sirolli, of Deptford, began his crime spree at 7:29 am on Friday, and thanks to a concerned witness who followed him, he was arrested shortly after by police.
The entire time Sirolli was vandalizing the churches, the good Samaritan was reporting his activities to police dispatch.
According to a police report, here’s what happened:
On Friday, January 13, 2023 at approximately 7:29 AM, the Gloucester Township Police Department received a call that a witness had observed a male subject later identified as Peter Sirolli throw a rock at Holy Child Parish, St. Teresa’s Church located at 13 E. Evesham Road in Runnemede, NJ. The suspect then left in a white 2021 Toyota Pickup Truck. The witness followed the suspect in his vehicle and continued to provide police with information. At approximately 7:39 AM the suspect arrived at Our Lady of Hope Parish, St. Agnes Church located at 701 Little Gloucester Road, Blackwood, NJ 08012. The witness observed the suspect exit his vehicle and threw a brick through a large window above the main door causing extensive damage. The suspect then returned to his vehicle and drove across the parking lot to the Parish Center where he poured gasoline at the base of the metal flag pole displaying the American Flag and ignited the pole. The maintenance supervisor of the parish also witnessed this and yelled at the suspect to stop. The suspect then fled the area in his vehicle.
-Police Report by Gloucestor Township Police Department
Eventually, police in Gloucester caught up with Sirolli on the Black Horse Pike, ironically near Church Street.
“The suspect initially failed to stop for police after the emergency lights and sirens were activated. The suspect drove at a very slow speed, and eventually pulled into Laurelwood Seventh-day Adventist Church parking lot on Good Intent Road in Deptford,” police said.
He was taken into police custody without incident. It is not believed that the suspect is affiliated in any way with the Laurelwood 7th Day Adventist Church.
After apprehending the suspect, police found a gas can and bricks in the bed of his truck.
He was charged for arson.