Police have arrested a suspect after extensive vandalism was discovered early Saturday at a north Wichita church.

Officers were called to a report of a burglary around 8:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in the 2000 block of North Arkansas.   They found significant damage with hate speech and damage to candles, glass, statues and other items.  An American flag was found burned.

Police have been working with the Wichita Fire Department, the FBI and the ATF on the investigation. Officers from the Field Community Response Teams were provided with critical intelligence and began searching for the suspect. At around 2:20 Sunday morning, officers found and arrested the suspect in the 2800 block of N. Hillside without incident.

A 23-year-old Saline County man has been booked into the Sedgwick County jail of burglary, criminal desecration, and criminal damage to property.   Information will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for formal charges.

Police Chief Joe Sullivan expressed thanks to the WPD staff for their work on the case, and he said in a press release, “This reprehensible act of vandalism will not be tolerated. Our officers and investigators worked tirelessly to bring this suspect to justice.”