Man arrested in connection with vandalism, including flag burning, at north Wichita church

A 23-year-old man from Saline County has been arrested in connection with vandalism Saturday at a north Wichita Catholic church.

The man was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on suspicion of burglary, criminal desecration and criminal damage to property, Wichita police spokesperson Aaron Moses said Sunday.

Police were called at 7:30 a.m. about a burglary at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2007 North Arkansas, which is south of 21st Street.

Officers found “extensive vandalism, including hate speech, damage to statues, candles and glass. Notably, a United States flag was also burned,” Moses said.

Police did not elaborate on what the hate speech said. Wichita Fire Department, FBI and ATF assisted in the investigation due to arson.

“A satanic website was scrawled on a [church] wall,” the Kansas Catholic Conference said on Facebook about the vandalism. “This is the face of evil.”

Wichita police, along with federal law enforcement, collected evidence and identified the suspect, who was later found and arrested at 2:20 a.m. Sunday in the 2800 block of N. Hillside, Moses said.

The motive behind the vandalism is unclear. The church said in a social media post that its Sunday, March 16 masses will be held in the church’s school gym.

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call detectives at 316-268-4407, the See Something Say Something hotline at 316-519-2282 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111. Callers can remain anonymous with Crime Stoppers.

This story was originally published March 15, 2025 at 3:48 PM.