Category: News affecting the Church

$5,000 offered to find arsonist who targeted Arizona church

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(Photos: ATF)

Authorities have announced a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for an arson that destroyed the sanctuary of the Huachuca United Methodist Church in Huachuca, Arizona, USA. The reward was announced via a press release from the Huachuca police department.

The Fire was discovered shortly after 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. The ATF has confirmed the fire was intentionally set.

A Facebook post shared on the Church’s Facebook page says, “As many people in the community have heard, the United Methodist church in Huachuca City was burned in a fire on the evening of October 18th. While we are saddened by this loss, we remember these words from Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Please be in prayer for the Huachuca UMC congregation as they deal with this loss and look for a place to have worship and do ministry.”

A motive for the attack has not yet been determined.

 

Illinois police: Man spray painted anti-religious messages and tried to set church on fire

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CORRIGAN - Luke Corrigan
(Photo: Orland Park, Illinois Police)

An Orland Park, Illinois man is facing felony hate crime charges after repeated vandalism of a church.

According to Channel 5 in Chicago, Illinois, Luke Corrigan, 23, was arrested on Friday after the last vandalism at Living Word Lutheran Church. The Chicago Tribune says he spray painted “anti-religious words” on the door of the church.

A news release from the Orlando Park Police Department says Corrigan tried to set the church building on fire. The release says surveillance cameras captured the latest act of vandalism and an Orland Park officer recognized Corrigan.

Corrigan is charged with five counts of third-degree felony Hate Crime to a church, and one count of first-degree felony arson to a place of worship.

UPDATE: Seattle police release photos of suspect in church arson

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The Seattle, Washington Police Department this week released surveillance photos of a man they say threw lit incendiary devices at a church building during Thursday evening service.

CLICK HERE to read previous coverage

The FBI and the police department are jointly investigating the attack.  No further information has been released.

Utah pair arrested for multiple vandalism attacks of church property

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Police in West Jordan, Utah have arrested two people believed to be responsible for vandalism at 11 church properties. Shania Kaitlynn Page Carson, 21, and Colby Dean Robertson, 19, are also suspected of damaging cars in the parking lots of church meetings.  In all, both are charged with 56 counts of criminal mischief.

The arrest came after a police officer pulled over a car in which Carlson and Robertson were found with rocks, bats and a sledgehammer.  Police say these items and other evidence allowed police to file charges.

A motive for vandalism has not been announced by authorities. The Desert News reports the targets were chosen because they appeared vulnerable.

Vandals target 231-year-old California church building with misspelled ‘genocide’ graffiti

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Police in Santa Barbara California believe anti-Columbus day sentiment is motive behind vandalism at a church established in 1786.  Someone spray painted “genocide”, smashed a window, and damaged other pieces of church property of the Old Mission Santa Barbara. The Los Angeles Times reports they caused an estimated $25,000 in damage. KYET television published a photo of the damage.

File news reports from the area say the same church was vandalized last year.  Cameras were installed following that attack.  Video from those cameras of this year’s attack is being reviewed by detectives.

The 231-year-old building is home to a community of Franciscan Friars