By Sarina Trangle
A pastor at St. Mary Gate of Heaven Parish in South Ozone Park discovered the church’s statue of the Virgin Mary decapitated at 10 a.m. Monday, according to police.
Officers said the head was missing from the property.
The NYPD hate crime task force was investigating the incident, police said.
The staff at St. Mary Gate of Heaven Parish, at 103-12 101st Ave., said the off-white statue is kept in the lawn, near tables and chairs.
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle at 718-260-4546 or by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com.
