A large statue at the Italian American Heritage Center on Liberty Street was recently knocked over. Police are investigating.
HAMILTON -- Last Friday, the Italian American Heritage Center on Liberty Street took delivery of a new Roman statue.
The next day, it was in pieces in front of the Liberty Street building, knocked over by a suspected vandal, or vandals.
And for the second time in less than a year, John Scarpati Sr. was at a loss as to why someone would target the organization.
"I think they were trying to knock over another one too," Scarpati said Friday at the building. He moved another statue inside this past weekend for safe keeping until the building's new security system is installed.
The building is home to the Mercer County Italian American Festival Association and last July they suffered a similar incident - someone defaced a 7-foot statue of Christopher Columbus that stands on a pedestal in front of the building.
In that incident, Columbus' face was painted black, the number 13 was written on his chest and the letters "FU" were scrawled on the ground in front of it.
Police investigating graffiti on Columbus statue at Italian center
Scarpati, the longtime president of the Italian American festival association, said he's going to try and fix the statue. It's valued at $800.
In the meantime, he offering a reward for any information that leads to an arrest by police, Scarpati said.
Hamilton police are investigating. Detective Lt. Jeff Martin said Detective Frank Burger is still searching for any businesses or residences in the are that might have video surveillance of the area.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Detective Burger at 609-581-4010 or the Italian American Heritage Center at 609-631-7544.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.