Man Charged with Vandalizing Edina Churches

Edina police believe they have solved a year-old string of church vandalism incidents.

Hennepin County prosecutors are charging Malcolm Eric Johns, 36, of Edina, with spray-painting specific patterns and symbols on seven different churches between June 2-8, 2010. Police report the designs included the letters "SMS," the number 81 within a circle and the number 42 enclosed within a heart-shaped pattern.

The vandalized houses of worship are , , , , , and . All are within walking distance of a home belonging to Johns' parents, police said.

Officers say they traced the crimes to Johns by lifting fingerprints from a pair of spray paint cans left behind at Good Samaritan Church and Crossview Lutheran Church, then matching one of the prints to Johns' right index finger.

During questioning about the crimes, police say Johns told them he vandalized the churches because he is an "anarchist" who hates religion and doesn't agree with governments or people who work for governments.

The estimated total amount of damage to the churches exceeds $1,000. Johns faces first-degree felony damage to property charges for the vandalism, carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.