ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ) – An overnight church fire in Allouez is being investigated as a possible case of arson.
Captain Jody Lemmens of the Brown County Sheriff’s Department said they received three calls related to vandalism in a period of hours.
She said the first came in after someone reported that a wine bottle was thrown through their window. The second call came in reporting the fire.
“The fire broke out around 1:30 Wednesday morning at St. Matthews Church on South Webster Avenue.”
Officials say the damage was all inside the church and while the investigation is not complete, it is believed that a paper and bible were set on fire.
Firefighters also believe someone forced themselves into the church and the fire was deliberately set.
A couple of hours later, a homeowner in the area of Riverside Drive and Iroquois called in a suspicious male who was soaking wet and ringing his doorbell.
“A male suspect threw a piece of patio furniture at the door of the residence,” Brown County Sheriff Captain Jody Lemmens said.
The male left the complainant’s residence via the Fox River Trail. Law enforcement located the subject and took him into custody without incident.
“The resident told officers that the man told him to call the police and left.”
The suspect was transported to jail and is being referred on charges of burglary, arson and criminal damage to property.
