West Tisbury police are searching for a man who vandalized a pride flag hanging at the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury.

The incident took place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, said Lieut. Matt Gebo of the West Tisbury police.

In a Facebook post published on Sunday afternoon, the West Tisbury police provided an image of the perpetrator taken from church security footage and requested help from the public in identifying the man. The suspect is a white male, about 20 to 30 years old, Lieutenant Gebo said.

West Tisbury police are seeking help identifying this man, caught on camera vandalizing the church pride flag.

West Tisbury police are seeking help identifying this man, caught on camera vandalizing the church pride flag.

For years, a pride flag has flown above the door of the congregational church. Rev. Cathlin Baker said that church administrator Molly Conole discovered the flag in a heap on the front steps early Sunday morning just before church services, with damaged hardware indicating someone had ripped the flag down.

The church had installed a security camera after previous incidents of vandalism concerning the pride flag. In security camera footage, the man looked at the camera, made offensive gestures and then ripped down the flag, Reverend Baker said.

Reverend Baker said that the flag is a crucial part of the church’s open and affirming message.

“Our extravagant welcome is a part of who we are as a church,” Reverend Baker said. “We fly the flag as a welcome mat...especially when so many LGBTQ people have been harmed by the church.”

Reverend Baker said that the church consulted the police after an FBI report last month warned community organizations across the U.S. that they could be the targets of terrorist and hate activity. West Tisbury police will be present at all church events through pride month, which continue through the end of June, Reverend Baker said.

Investigation into the vandalism is ongoing, Lieutenant Gebo said, adding that the suspect exited the church grounds and was driven off in a black, four-door Jeep Wrangler as a passenger.

“Our hope is that the perpetrator is caught, but that his heart might be open to change,” Reverend Baker said.