By Tim Harfmann
One week after two angel statues were destroyed outside Our Lady of Consolation Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn police identified 28-year-old Andrew Oshesky as the man caught on camera.
Currents News rang Oshesky’s doorbell at his Bushwick, Brooklyn apartment Tuesday — but no answer. The suspect was released without bail after being arrested Monday.
Neighbors were shocked. “That’s terrible! I saw it on the news, but I didn’t know he lived around here!” said Rosa Hernandez.
Oshesky was charged with criminal mischief as a hate crime, property damage, aggravated harassment, and urinating in public. According to the NYPD, he has no prior arrests. The Hate Crimes Task Force says Oshesky is the person in the surveillance video. It shows an individual urinating on the statues outside the Brooklyn church, and then knocking them off the structure, smashing the sculptures to the ground. The incident took place Sunday, December 2nd around 4 a.m.
Oshesky’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 11th, 2019.
Currents News showed the surveillance video to Lamonte Childs. He recently moved into the same apartment complex as the suspect. “That’s a little wild. Who has the time to actually do that?” said Childs.
Hernandez described Oshesky as reserved. “I’ve just seen him a couple of times sitting on the stoop. Very quiet. He looked very innocent.”
It was reportedly the sixth time in eight years statues were desecrated at Our Lady of Consolation. “I’ll pray for him, but at the same time I want him to learn his lesson,” said Sona Wangmo, who walked by the church Tuesday morning.
The statues haven’t been replaced. Interfaith and political leaders, including Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, pledged to raise funds for new statues. Adams has already sent a check for $500.