Sulphur Man Caught Vandalizing Churches

Sulphur Police arrested Daniel Wayne Duplechin, 35, of Sulphur after they say they caught him vandalizing a church. Duplechin is suspected of vandalizing four Sulphur churches.

The hardest hit were Our Lady of Prompt Succor and Our Lady of LaSalette. Police said Duplechin broke into the buildings and damaged statues inside and on the outside of the churches. According to Police he was armed with a sledge hammer.

Aside from leaving his jacket at the scene of Our Lady Prompt Succor Police said they caught him in the act at Our Lady of LaSalette. Police said Duplechin was aggressive and had to be tazed before being taken into custody.

Police said they have had dealings with Duplechin in the past but nothing this extreme. At this time it's not clear on a motive.

Church members in the community are devastated because most of the statues are very old and can't be replaced.

Police said Henning United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church in Sulphur both had a broken window.

Duplechin has been charged with the following:

Two counts of simple burglary of a religious building.
Four counts of simple criminal damage to property over $500.
Four counts of a hate crime (one for each church)