A 15-year-old boy was arrested by Alaska State Troopers Sunday in connection with a series of break-ins at a Mormon church in Wasilla this month that caused an estimated $40,000 in damage.
According to a Monday AST dispatch, troopers were initially called shortly before 8:30 a.m. Nov. 2 to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at 10865 Horizon Dr., for reports of a fire.
“Troopers and Central Matsu (Fire Department) responded to the church and it was determined that there was not a fire,” troopers wrote. “Investigation determined an unknown person broke into the church and vandalized the building causing several thousand dollars in damage.”
Palmer troopers responded to two more calls reporting burglary and vandalism at the church, at about 7 a.m. on Nov. 5, and 6 a.m. on Nov. 11. After investigating all three cases, troopers visited the unnamed suspect’s home on Knik-Goose Bay Road at about 9:30 a.m. Sunday.
AST spokesperson Megan Peters said the troopers involved in the case were off-duty Monday, and further details on the nature of the damage weren’t immediately available.
The boy was arrested on three counts each of second-degree burglary and third-degree criminal mischief. He is being held without bail at the Mat-Su Youth Facility.
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