The NYPD has identified a man accused of vandalizing the residence of Cardinal Timothy Dolan last week in what’s being investigated as a bias incident.
Police said they are searching for 28-year-old Juan Velez.
Authorities said just after noon on Oct. 28, Velez threw a wrench at the front door of Dolan’s residence, which is part of St. Patrick’s Cathedral near East 50th Street and Fifth Avenue.
The wrench struck and damaged an outer glass door that protects an inner door to the residence, according to police.
Velez ran off afterwards and the wrench was recovered at the scene, authorities said.
Dolan was not home at the time and no injuries were reported, police said.
The NYPD said Velez is also wanted for two other alleged vandalism incidents that occurred at Manhattan churches one day after the incident at Dolan’s residence.
Velez is accused by authorities of ripping a flag outside All Saints Episcopal Church on East 60th Street, near Second Avenue, and damaging the church’s front doors.
Hours later, authorities said Velez threw an unknown object at the Archdiocese of New York on First Avenue near East 55th Street, damaging a glass door.
The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is investigating.