Two Macomb County men have been charged with ethnic intimidation after Warren police said they were responsible for the ethnic slurs spray painted on an Assyrian church last week.

Cory Main, 21, of Warren, and Johnathan Prince, 21, of Sterling Heights, were each charged with ethnic intimidation and destruction of property -- both felonies. Both men were arraigned today in 37th District Court in Warren. They are being held in lieu of $100,000 bond cash or surety.

The vandalism was discovered April 2 at the Assyrian Church of the East at 2340 Fourteen Mile Road, just east of Ryan Road. Construction workers and others who plan to attend the yet-to-be-opened church four blue and black spray-painted graffiti suggesting that Arabs aren't Christians and should "Die 2wice" and used an obscenity.

Members of the church have said the incident will not alter their plans to hold an opening mass on May 6. About 220 families are expected to attend the church once it's completed. The opening next month is expected to attract worshippers from across the country.

By Dan Cortez
www.freep.com