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March 30--The Smithfield Police Department is investigating a cross burned in a family's yard in the Moone Plantation subdivision over the weekend, said police spokesman Capt. Alonzo Howell.

Police were called to Lane Crescent around 11:53 p.m. Saturday and discovered a makeshift wooden cross, crafted from 4-foot-long pieces of molding that had been nailed together, ignited in the family's yard, said Howell.

A 16-year-old suspect has confessed to the incident, Howell said.

Commonwealth's Attorney Wayne Farmer plans to charge the juvenile with burning a cross, which is considered a hate crime under state law, Beach said. The suspect does not have a history of problems with law enforcement, he added.

Although the victims were black and the juvenile suspect white, police don't believe the incident was racially motivated, said Lt. Kurt Beach.

"We think it was more of a faith-related crime," said Beach. The victim is a youth pastor at a local church, he added.

Crescent Lane residents say their street is quiet and that they were "shocked" to learn of the cross burning.

"It's terrible, I hate to hear this," said Fred Heim, who lives across the street from the victim. "It's normally very quiet back here."

The victim did not return phone calls on Tuesday and didn't answer his door that afternoon.

Howell said he does not recall investigating any similar crimes in Smithfield.

Credit: Daily Press, Newport News, Va.