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Surveillance video leads to arrest in FL church building vandalism

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Florida church vandalism
                Christopher Joseph Trout (St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office)

PORT ST. LUCIE – A Florida man was arrested this week for vandalizing a church.  The arrest came after media in Port St. Lucie, Fla broadcast surveillance images of Christopher Joseph Trout, 29, damaging property belonging to the New Jerusalem Church of God, according to a report from WFLX television.

Trout was directly linked to the crime by evidence found inside his car, according to WPTV News.

According to jail records Thursday morning, Trout is charged with damaging prop-crim misch church synagogue mosque or religious article.  His bond is set at $10,000.  He also has a Leo Baker Act hold.

Report: Utah man causes more than $10K damage to church, struggles with arresting officers

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Church criminal
(Photo: Washington County Sheriff’s Office)

A Utah man was arrested Monday after police say he caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage to a church building.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Charles Gregory Logan, 23, is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors, including disorderly-fight, interfere with arrest, assault-simple, criminal mischief and burglary. The charges were filed Monday after police say they found him inside the church.

KSL television reported a church volunteer spotted Logan smashing a chair and table in the ladies dressing room.  She called for help.  Logan is said to have struggled with church employees who attempted to detain him until police arrived.

A report from Desert News says when officers tried to arrest Logan, “he refused several commands to stop resisting and actively resisted attempts to place him into handcuffs. After a few minutes of struggling with Logan, he was taken into custody,”

According to Jail records Tuesday, Logan has been released on bond.

Bomb explodes on property of Texas church

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BEAUMONT, TEXAS – A building owned by a southeast Texas church that runs a Christian school was damaged by an explosion early Thursday morning, according to a report from KRIS TV.  The explosion was caused by a bomb left at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church sometime between the end of services Wednesday evening and early Thursday before children arrived at the nearby school campus according to Click2Houston.

Beaumont, Texas Police Department spokesperson Officer Haley Morrow told Texas Gospel the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the FBI are investigating the incident.  Officer Morrow said

A police department news release says officers were called to the church property around 9 a.m. to investigate Criminal Mischief.  An officer who responded to the call found damage from what appeared to be a previously-detonated package.  Only minor damage was done to the building.

The Beaumont police chief said during a news conference that parts of the investigation are confidential and he would not say if there is any connection to an explosive device found at a local business earlier this year.

Governor Greg Abbott Attends Texas Pastors Roundtable Discussion

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abbott.jpgAUSTIN – Texas governor Greg Abbott Thursday attended a roundtable meeting with Texas pastors in Mesquite. The event was hosted by Dr. Terry M. Turner, Head Pastor at Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church, who was inspired to bring together multiple leaders from various backgrounds for an in-depth discussion with Governor Abbott. The meeting served as an opportunity for North Texas pastors to voice the concerns of their congregations, and develop ideas to address the challenges faced by the African American and Hispanic communities in Texas. Over three dozen pastors discussed a wide variety of topics, ranging from economic opportunities to the church’s role in foster care and adoption services.

“It’s important to hear directly from local leaders who are making an impact within their communities,” said Governor Abbott. “It was an honor to join these pastors to find ways we can continue to work together and create more opportunities for every Texan. I am grateful to Pastor Turner for leading this discussion and look forward to our continued partnership.”

“I am grateful to Governor Abbott for his presence here today, and for his willingness to listen to local leaders,” said Dr. Turner. “Governor Abbott continues to provide strong leadership for all Texans. I look forward to fostering an even stronger bond between our governor and our community leaders.”

Man arrested for causing more than $20,000 damage to Church sanctuary

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2018-05-07 Mug shot with background of church vandal
James Williams (Photo: Tulsa County Inmate Information Center)

A Tulsa, Oklahoma congregation arrived for service April 29 to a sanctuary with thousands of dollars in damage caused by a vandal.  The cleanup is ongoing this week.

Police say the man who caused the damage, James Williams, was found by a K9 during a search of the Community Baptist Church sanctuary, according to a report by Fox 23 News. The TV station’s report includes photos of the damage.

A police report says Williams gained entry by breaking a window.  The police report estimates damage between $20,000 and $40,000.

Jail records on May 7 show Williams is held on $3,000 bond for burglary and one charge of maliciously defacing property of another for which no bond amount is listed.

The police report does not state a motive for Williams’ actions.