Category: News affecting the Church

Indiana man arrested for vandalism of multiple churches, more charges pending

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Mug shot - arsonist
Renzo Signorino

Sheriff’s deputies in Indiana arrested the man they say is responsible for a string of church vandalism cases. Renzo Signorino, 20, of Columbus, Indiana, is charged with numerous crimes against congregations in Brown County, Indiana including burglary, institutional criminal mischief, and felony level theft.   Investigators say his victims include the congregations of the Way of Holiness Tabernacle, St. Agnes Catholic Church of Nashville, and the Pikes Peak Church of Christ. A police spokesperson said more charges are pending.

According to a report in The Republic newspaper, investigators were able to file charges after they received a tip from an FBI agent who was investigating vandalism at a synagogue.  The Brown County Democrat says the agent contacted investigators on August 19 after the suspect in the synagogue vandalism told authorities she and Signorino had previously targeted other houses of worship.  Further investigation uncovered evidence that implicated Signorino.

A Sheriff’s Office news release lists the following charges as of Friday:

  • Burglary – Level 5 Felony (Way of Holiness Tabernacle Church)
  • Theft – Class A Misdemeanor (Way of Holiness Tabernacle Church)
  • Institutional Criminal Mischief – Class A Misdemeanor (Way of Holiness Tabernacle Church)
  • Burglary – Level 5 Felony (St. Agnes Catholic Church)
  • Institutional Criminal Mischief – Class A Misdemeanor (St. Agnes Catholic Church)
  • Institutional Criminal Mischief – Class A Misdemeanor (Pike’s Peak Church of Christ)

The news release does not give Signorino’s motivation for vandalizing church property.

 

Texas man guilty of arson and criminal mischief in attack on Presbyterian church

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mug shotA Fort Worth, Texas man is sentenced to 40 years in prison for the January arson of a church building.

According to CBS Local in the Dallas Fort Worth area, Thomas Britton went on a rampage at St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth causing nearly $800,000 in damage.  This week he was found guilty of arson and criminal mischief.

“This was not just criminal mischief. This was historic criminal mischief,” said prosecutor Vincent Giardino to the Fort Worth Business Press. “The police officers on the scene that morning, and even his own defense attorney, said they’d never seen anything like it. His goal was not just to damage this church, but to obliterate it. And he has no remorse for it.”

The trial begin Tuesday in before Judge Robb Catalano Tarrant County’s Criminal District 3.   Jurors deliberated for less than 10 minutes Thursday before reaching a guilty verdict.

Vandals’ criminal act caught on video at New York Orthodox church building

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The motive of two criminals who vandalized an Orthodox church building in Greenport, New York remains unknown as investigators work to learn their identity.

Church members of Saints Anargyroi, Taxiarchis & Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church told CBS New York they don’t hold a grudge against the two vandals, but want them to know their unacceptable behavior has unnerved an entire community.

The vandals smashed a stained glass window, tore down a church sign and kicked over potted plants. Surveillance video is available from News12 Long Island.

Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to call the Southold Police Department at 631-765-2600.

Trial for accused church vandal to begin Tuesday in Texas

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Thomas Britton (Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office )

Prosecutors in Texas say a man on trial this week is the criminal who vandalized, then tried to burn down a church building in Fort Worth.

The main building of St. Stephen Presbyterian Church received heavy damage in January.  Multiple windows, walls, art, educational supplies, toys, books and more were destroyed, according to a Go Fund Me page set up to help the congregation. Surveillance video of the arsonist was released through local media.  A citizen recognized Thomas Britton, 55, a homeless man, as the man in the video.   The Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper reports Britton had a black, tarry substance on his face and hands.  He claimed it was because he had been wildcatting on an oil rig. He was charged and indicted for criminal mischief over $300,000.

A motive for the criminal act has not been announced by authorities.

Testimony in Britton’s trial is set to begin Tuesday.

According to jail records, Britton has been held in the Tarrant county jail without bond since his arrest.

Teens arrested for church arson

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Two teens have been charged with arson for a 2017 fire that destroyed the sanctuary building of a Las Vegas Church.  Police are not releasing the names of the two because of their age.

 

(2017 File video story from the Las Vegas Review-Journal)

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the fire caused $1.3 million in damage to the Zion Methodist Church.

A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Wednesday said the teens are charged with arson, conspiracy and burglary.

A motive for the criminal act has not been announced.