Our Lady Of Lavang Church Damaged By Man Driving Into Building

PORTLAND, OR – The Church of Our Lady of Lavang on Northeast Alameda Street is an important place for people in Portland's Vietnamese Catholic community. Early on Christmas Eve, it also became a crime scene.

Just after midnight on Monday morning, Portland Police responded to the church at 5404 Northeast Alameda Street after getting a call that someone had driven a vehicle into the building, and then drove out and away.

Arriving, the officers found extensive damage to the church's exterior as well as inside.

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Police determined that someone had driven into the building at two different spots, driven around inside, damaging the pews and more before fleeing.

As they investigated, officers found evidence that the driver had been behind the wheel of an Acura SUV.

While they were searching the area, a man called 911 from an auto parts store not far from Portland Meadows. He said that he had crashed his vehicle into the church.

Police located 35-year-old Hieu John Phung and his Acura MDX, which police say, had damage consistent with what had happened.

Phung was arrested and charged with criminal mischief and his Acura was seized as evidence.

Police have not said anything about possible motive.

The church – officially the Southeast Asian Vicariate Church of Our Lady of Lavang – is part of the Archdiocese of Portland. The parish was created in 1975 and serves more than 5,000 Vietnamese Catholics in the area.

Church goers are trying to get the building in shape for Christmas Eve services.

Photo via Portland Police.