PLANFIELD, Vt. (AP) – Police on Friday were investigating a suspected cross burning in front of a church in the center of town.

Police found a charred 5-foot-tall cross in front of the Grace United Methodist Church on Christmas Day.

Police believe the cross was burned on Christmas Eve or early Christmas morning.

The cross was crudely made and wrapped in fabric, said Lt. David Harrington of the Vermont State Police.

“We’re hoping that somebody may have seen something or heard something to give us some indication of what this is all about,” he said. “We don’t know if this is someone who is mentally ill or if this is someone’s idea of a sick joke.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the state police barracks in Middlesex at 229-9191.

AP-ES-12-26-03 1421EST