Man Stole from 1 Church, Vandalized Another: Cops

Police said he also left “666” and pentagram symbols at an art school.

Hamden police have arrested a man accused of burglarizing one church in town, smashing stained glass windows in another, then burglarizing an art school and leaving Satanic symbols.

On Wednesday, police arrested Jaquan Beal, 18, of New Haven, who is suspected of committing the three crimes in November.

Beal is suspected of forcing his way into the Hamden Plains Methodist Church, at 15 Church Street, on Nov. 3 and stealing an envelope containing several hundred dollars, police said.

He is also suspected of smashing two stained glass windows at Blessed Sacrament Church, located as 321 Circular Avenue, on Nov. 9. Nothing was reported missing.

Beal is also suspected of vandalism on Nov. 17 at Paier School of Art, at 20 Gorham Avenue.

Police said Beal broke in and vandalized the interior of the building.

When police responded, they found broken windows throughout the school, as well as damaged vending and gumball machines. A fire extinguisher was removed and sprayed throughout the building. Police also found “666” and a pentagram painted in several locations. School administration estimated the damage at nearly $2,000.00.

Beal was charged with three counts of third-degree burglary, three counts of larceny in the sixth degree and three counts of second-degree criminal. He was arraigned on January 28.

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