Hartford police arrest man suspected of breaking into First Baptist Church

HARTFORD (WITI) -- Hartford police are investigating a break in and damage to the First Baptist Church located at 112 Church Street.

Police say the incident occurred on Friday, March 15th just after 7:00 a.m.

Police say their investigation has indicated a male subject had been observed on foot shortly after the incident at First Baptist Church.

The information had indicated the male subject had claimed that he was running from the police. The information also indicated that the man had multiple scratches and minor injuries on his hands and arms, consisted with injuries caused by broken glass.

Follow up investigation led to the identification of the suspect.

Police say the suspect had been living out-of-state until returning to the City of Hartford just two weeks before.

Police say the man was wanted for five outstanding municipal warrants through the Hartford Police Department with bonds totaling over $1,700.

Police arrested the man just before 10:30 a.m. He is a 21-year-old Hartford man.

When interviewed by police, the suspect admitted to being inside the church on the morning of March 15th. The man admitted to discharging a fire extinguisher inside the building and smashing the church's windows with a fire extinguisher. The suspect also admitted to being the owner of several pieces of property that evidence technicians had recovered from the crime scene.

Police say the investigation into this incident is ongoing.

Felony charges for burglary against the man are being referred to the Washington County District Attorney's Office.