Man lights Cross on fire atop bell tower of St. Mary's Catholic Church

[Stone]

Man Wearing Only Boxers and One Sock Climbs Los Angeles Church Bell Tower and Lights Cross on Fire (VIDEOS)

GP | July 9, 2021

A man has been detained after climbing a church bell tower and lighting the cross on fire in Los Angeles — wearing only boxer shorts and one sock.
The Los Angeles Police Department has not revealed the identity of the 25-year-old man who was captured on film lighting the fire at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Wednesday evening.

A witness told KCBS-TV the man threw his clothes off the top of the church.

“The man, who appeared to be clad in only boxers and socks, was on top of a bell tower trying to start a fire when Sky5 arrived above the scene around 8:45 p.m. However, the flames failed to spread past the apex of the roof,” KTLA reports. “He eventually scaled down scaffolding surrounding the tower shortly after 9 p.m., heading across the church’s main roof before jumping across to other roofs in the neighborhood. At one point, he was even seen climbing an electrical wire.”

The LAPD tracked the man and eventually took him into custody around 10 p.m.

The half-naked man was taken to the hospital, but it was unclear if he required treatment or was being evaluated.