Cops Charge Man with Theft that Led to Mop up During Church Service

Manchester police on Thursday charged a 30-year-old man “of no certain address” with stealing copper from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 41 Park St.

Ryan Cottrill was arrested by Manchester police outside the East Hartford Police Department.

In January, water flowed into the church during services. after copper downspouts and flashing had been stolen from the roof, as NBC Connecticut reported. “[P]arishioners got buckets and mops to clean up, even as the service continued,“ Manchester Patch said in an article at the time.

Police said Cottrill was arrested “in relation to” three thefts of copper flashing and downspouts from the church in December and January, although he’s only charged with one count of third-degree burglary in addition to two counts of third-degree larceny and one count each of second-degree larceny, first-degree criminal mischief, sixth-degree larceny and first-degree failure to appear in court.

After investigating the incidents, Manchester police applied for and received three separate arrest warrants for Cottrill. Police said Friday that the total cost of the copper and repairs from the damage was $21,000. Cottrill was held on total bonds of $157,000. He is scheduled to appear Friday in state Superior Court in Manchester.