Mystic Man Arrested After Church Sign Vandalized

A Mystic man was arrested Saturday for damaging a church sign, and Groton Town Police said there have been several instances of church signs vandalized in the last month.

Police arrested Paul S. Wragg, 51, of 135 Ann Avenue in Mystic, at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and charged him with sixth-degree larceny, third-degree criminal mischief and third-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, according to a police news release.

The release said Wragg allegedly stole a church sign from the on Sandy Hollow Rd in Mystic and damaged it.

Police are investigating several other similar instances of vandalism, the release said.

“It’s been all over town and it’s been going on for a month or so,” said Lt. James Bee. He said the signs have been covered with spray paint. No message is written on the signs and the churches themselves have not been damaged, he said. The vandalism has been spread across town and does not affect only one type of church or denomination.

Further arrests may be pending, he said.

Wragg was released and will appear in New London Superior Court in two weeks.