Possible Break in Church Burglaries
Suspect after a church in Wethersfield was targeted.
Wethersfield police have arrested a man who may be responsible for a string of church burglaries.
The arrest came on Thursday afternoon after Jackie Barry, 45, was caught with property from the First Church of Christ in Wethersfield just after it had been broken into, according to Wethersfield Police Chief James Cetran.
Cetran says police flooded the area after a resident called them for help. That man first saw Barry peering into the window of his home and then saw him head over to the nearby church, said Cetran.
"We're grateful the citizen called us," said Cetran.
Barry is charged with sixth degree larceny and third degree criminal trespassing, according to Cetran.
Barry is a suspect in a number of other church break ins in West Hartford, according to police in that town.
There have been nine church burglaries in West Hartford recently including one that happened Wednesday afternoon at the Elmwood Community Church.
The suspect did not take anything during that break in, according to parishioners who expressed relief to hear that police may be closing in on a suspect in their case.
"Of course we're greatly relieved," said Margaret Allgaier, the moderator of the church. "It's been very upsetting because this is our home and we are a family. We've chosen each other. It's a family and home of choice and you feel that you've been violated."
Barry is a suspect in church burglaries in other towns as well, according to police.
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