60-year-old man charged with defacing Pilsen church

Bond was set at $25,000 Friday for a 60-year-old man accused of vandalizing the front doors of a church early Sunday in the Pilsen neighborhood on the South Side.

Robert Samar was seen at 4:45 a.m. on a surveillance video writing offensive words and symbols on the front doors of the church in the 2200 block of South Damen Avenue, according to Chicago Police.

He was arrested Wednesday and charged with a felony of criminal defacement of a place of worship, police said.

Pastor Emma Lozano, of the Lincoln United Methodist Church, said the graffiti included a swastika and threats to “kill and burn.” The church caters toward the city’s Latino community.

Samar, of the 2300 block of South Seeley Avenue, was ordered to be held on a $25,000 bond, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office. He is due in court again Oct. 12.