Church Burglary Suspect Arrested

The Bradenton Police Department says it found the help it needed to identify a man it says broke into a church and helped himself to electrical equipment.

The crime in question took place Sept. 15 between 8:45 and 9 p.m. when police say a man used a brick to break out a window at First Presbyterian Church, 1402 Manatee Ave. W. The man then took a portable sound mixer, several microphones, electronics cables and a digital projector, police wrote in an email to media. He’s also accused of damaging several areas within the church.

Police say the same suspect was caught on camera trying to break into a second church.

After news reports ran showing the suspect’s image, a relative turned 18-year-old Dakota Perkins into police, the agency wrote in an email to media. Perkins, the email said, confessed to the crime. He is being charged with burglary to an unoccupied structure and attempted burglary.

Anyone with further information in the case is asked to call Bradenton Police Officer Eleazar Garcia at 941-932-9373. Tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-866-634-8477 or by going online to www.manateecrimestoppers.com.

Surveillance photos courtesy of the Bradenton Police Department