Andrew A. Young, 25, New London, was charged with burglary, felony theft and possession of burglary tools.
He is accused of stealing copper wiring and a police surveillance camera from the New London church that was blown down in the Aug. 7 storm.
The pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church first contacted New London police on Oct. 21 after discovering more than 20 feet of conduit with approximately 300 feet of copper electrical wiring had been removed from the ruined remains of the church.
Police subsequently placed two video security cameras at the church.
On Nov. 1, the pastor called again and reported more wiring had been stolen, as well as one of the security cameras.
Police determined entry had been made through the collapsed fellowship hall on the south side of the building.
A picture of the suspect was captured from the camera’s video and circulated among New London officers. The suspect appeared to be about 5-foot-six-inches tall and weigh between 120 and 150 pounds.
New London Police Officer Ben Schmidt suggested it might be Young. Schmidt and Officer Josh Wilson then searched the Internet and Facebook and found photos of Young wearing what appeared to be the same hat and sweatshirt the burglary suspect had worn.
The officers went to Young’s home, where they reported finding a hat similar to the one the suspect in the video was wearing, as well as receipts for copper wiring from recycling centers, the police camera, a pair of bolt cutters and some copper wiring.