19-year-old charged in destruction of statue outside St. Adalbert's Catholic Church in Milwaukee

A 19-year-old man has been charged  with destroying a Virgin Mary statue outside St. Adalbert's Catholic Church on Milwaukee's south side. 

Joshua Cisero was charged Friday in the smashing of the statue with a metal pole Aug. 6. 

Three witnesses heard or saw Cisero destroying the statue outside the church, 1923 W. Becher St., according to the criminal complaint. At the scene, the complaint said, Cisero was quoted as saying Catholics “practice idolatry. They worship Mary ... and I destroyed it, what they worship ... That’s why I did it."

The statue was valued at at least $1,000. 

Cisero's home address is listed as the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. The shelter provides resources and housing for homeless people.