Virgin Mary statue damaged in Nesconset

Police are looking for a man who they said damaged a statue of the Virgin Mary outside a Nesconset residence last month.

The vandalism took place at a home on Tiffany Way at about 8 p.m. Aug. 7, Suffolk County police said.

Police said Hate Crimes Unit detectives are hoping the public can help them identify and locate the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted using a mobile app downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips. Tipsters can also submit online at www.P3Tips.com.

Tipsters are eligible for a cash reward for any information leading to an arrest in the case.

All calls, text messages and emails will remain confidential, police said.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”