LEDYARD, Conn. (WTNH) — The Ledyard Police Department is looking to identify a man who burglarized and vandalized a church on Saturday.

Police responded to Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Gales Ferry for a report of burglary and vandalism.

The suspect, described by police as a white man wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack, allegedly threw bricks at the front door and attempted to enter but was unsuccessful.

Ledyard police said it appears he then walked around the building, breaking windows with rocks and bricks along with religious items. He gained entry by crawling through a window into the church’s meeting hall, where police said he wrote hateful messages on the wall and floor.

See photos of the suspect below:

While they were on scene investigating, Ledyard police said they got a call about another incident at the Bishop Seabury Anglican Church nearby.

“We are working several leads and moving in a very positive direction,” Ledyard police Capt. Ken Creutz said.

Police said a rock was thrown through the window and landed inside the church’s worship area.

“You can reasonably assume that it might have been the same person, but that church didn’t have any surveillance, so we don’t know that for certain,” Creutz said.

Residents News 8 spoke with on Monday said it’s upsetting to know what unfolded.

“I was shocked, a little disappointed,” Ken Jillson of Ledyard said. “The last thing I’d expect in Ledyard, really.”

The New London Judicial District State’s Attorney Office, the FBI Civil Rights Unit, and the Connecticut State Police Hate Crimes Unit are investigating the crime.

Anyone with information on the case or who may be able to identify the man in the photos is urged to contact Detective Cadro at LPD at (860) 464-6400 or email at det.cadro@ledyardct.org. Calls can be kept confidential.