GCPD Media Release – Criminal Threat at St. Mary’s

GCPD

On March 11th at 3:00 PM, Officers of the Garden City Police Department were dispatched to 503 St. John Street, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in reference to a suspicious man inside the church.

Upon arrival, officers located the man and took him into custody without incident in the main chapel area of the church. St. Mary’s Catholic School was placed in lockdown as a precaution until the man could be located by law enforcement. The school was in lockdown for approximately 10 minutes.

The investigation revealed the adult man, later identified as Javier Alberto Cantos Jr. (24), Newry, PA, went uninvited into a home in the 400 block of Elm Street prior to going to the church. While in the house, Cantos had made threatening comments in addition to stating he had explosive devices on his person. Cantos then walked to St. Mary’s Church where officers located and arrested him.

Officers did not locate any explosive devices on Cantos’ person or in the area. There is no current threat to the school or church. The investigation is on-going.

Cantos was lodged at the Finney County Jail on charges of aggravated burglary and aggravated criminal threat. The case is being forwarded to the Finney County Attorney’s Office for further review.

*The person(s) involved has not yet been convicted of a crime, and are presumed innocent. The presumption of innocence shall continue until such time that the person(s) accused may be found guilty by a court of law.*