SKOWHEGAN — Police have arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with extensive vandalism at the Southside Cemetery.

Christian Newton, of Skowhegan, is charged with Class C aggravated criminal mischief and Class D interference with a cemetery or burial ground, Chief David Bucknam of the Skowhegan Police Department said in a statement Wednesday.

Newton was being held Wednesday afternoon at the Somerset County Jail in Madison with bail set at $2,500, Bucknam said.

Through interviews, officers Benaiah Willhoite and Alex Burns identified Newton as a person of interest in the vandalism, which included damage to headstones and angel statues, Bucknam said. Detective Sgt. Kelly Hooper and Detective Carolynn Taylor spoke with him Wednesday, leading to the arrest.

“This investigation is ongoing and (it) is believed there are additional people involved,” Bucknam said. “This needless destruction is unacceptable and damaging to the community. I urge the remaining parties to clear their conscience and turn themselves in. We will not rest until this investigation is closed.”

The chief asked those with information to call the police department at 207-474-6908.

An electronic court file for Newton’s case was not yet available Wednesday afternoon. If he remains in jail, he is expected to make an initial in-custody court appearance Friday in Skowhegan. If prosecutors proceed with the Class C felony charge, they must first seek an indictment before Newton enters a plea.

Town sexton Jason Fitch told WABI-TV on Friday that he believed the vandalism happened Thursday night and he discovered it Friday morning. He told the TV station that more than 50 gravestones were damaged.

The Southside cemetery, on Main Street on the south side of Skowhegan, is one of eight public town burial grounds.

Earlier this week Skowhegan firefighters assisted volunteers from the Daughters of the American Revolution with vandalism repairs, according to a social media post from their union. 

Town Clerk and Treasurer Gail Pelotte, who also oversees administrative aspects of the operations of the town’s cemeteries, told the select board Tuesday night the goal is to get them fixed by Memorial Day, May 25.

She requested the select board approve using $600 from capital reserves to buy supplies, which was approved.

“It amazes me what people do when they’re bored,” Pelotte said of the vandalism.