Hindu Temple in Cary Vandalized; Dvarapalaka Statue Damaged Outside Sri Venkateswara

A Hindu temple in Cary, North Carolina, became the target of vandalism in January 2026, when suspects damaged a prominent statue at the entrance of the Sri Venkateswara of North Carolina in the early morning hours. Surveillance cameras at the temple captured footage of the incident, showing a group of five individuals running from the scene and driving away in a small sedan before officers were alerted. The Cary Police Department launched an investigation into the act and is asking the public for help in identifying those responsible, with detectives also working to establish the motive behind the deliberate damage to the religious statue.

🪔 Five Suspects Flee After Damaging Statue at Cary Hindu Temple

The Cary Police Department began investigating a case of vandalism at the Sri Venkateswara of North Carolina, a Hindu temple located in Cary, following an incident that took place on Sunday, January 18, 2026, around 3:00 a.m. Surveillance video from the temple captured at least five individuals running toward a small sedan and speeding away from the scene shortly before the damage to the statue was discovered. The footage clearly showed the suspects leaving the area in haste before officers arrived. Shortly after the individuals were seen fleeing the scene, the Dvarapalaka statue positioned at the front of the temple was found to have been damaged. Detectives from the Cary Police Department were working to identify the individuals shown in the surveillance footage. Investigators were also working to determine the specific circumstances surrounding the damage to establish whether the incident was targeted or opportunistic. Police asked members of the public with any information related to the incident to contact Cary Crimestoppers at the number 919-460-4636, adding that callers did not need to reveal their identity when providing tips. The report was filed and published on Friday, January 23, 2026, days after the incident occurred at the Hindu temple, bringing wider public attention to the act of vandalism against the religious site. [1]

🪔 Police Investigate Vandalism at Sri Venkateswara Temple as Search for Suspects Continues

Officers from the Cary Police Department were investigating vandalism at the Sri Venkateswara of North Carolina, a Hindu temple in Cary, after surveillance cameras at the site captured images of five individuals around 3 a.m. on Sunday, before the group left the area in a small sedan that sped away from the temple. The incident had occurred days before the story was reported by WRAL on January 22, 2026. Following the departure of the individuals, the Dvarapalaka statue located at the front of the temple was discovered to have sustained damage. Police confirmed their investigation was ongoing and stated that officers were actively working to identify the individuals who appeared in the surveillance footage, as well as working to determine the full circumstances behind the damage to the statue. Members of the public with information about the case were asked to contact Cary Crimestoppers at 919-460-4636, or to submit information anonymously online at www.p3tips.com/1242 to access anonymous reporting options. The investigation was described as continuing at the time of publication, with detectives seeking any assistance the public could offer to help identify those responsible for the deliberate damage caused to the statue outside the Hindu temple. [4]

Sources: [1] ABC11 News · [4] WRAL