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Seattle, Washington officers make arrest after arson attack during church service

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Police in Seattle, Washington say they have arrested the man who threw incendiary devices at a church filled with at least 100 worshipers.

Miles Stanstad is charged with attempted arson and assault in connection with the attack. Stanstad is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at Iglesia Ni Cristo on Oct. 18. His arrest came shortly after surveillance images were released by the Seattle, Washington police department.

A probable cause affidavit says Stanstad also threw two Molotov cocktails at a church employee, but the employee was not injured. An Associated Press report published by US News says prosecutors requested an increase in bail from $500,000 to $750,000 because Stanstad is considered a flight risk.

“We were relieved when we found out the suspect had been apprehended,” district minister Barrington Thompson told King5 Television. “And we thank the Seattle Police Department for the great work they did. And we’re happy of course that he’s off the streets now, so he can’t do any more damage,” he told the TV station.

 

Seattle arsonist tosses incendiary devices during Thursday-night service

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The sound of worship and praise music at a Seattle, Washington church was abruptly interrupted by an arsonist who threw Molotov cocktails at the building shortly after the opening hymn.

The attack happened around 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, at the Iglesia ni Cristo church about a half-hour after the service began.   Seattle Fire Department spokeswoman Kristin Tinsley told The Seattle Times there were multiple hand-held incendiary devices used in the attack. Tinsley told the paper the improvised firebombs were lit bottles of an unknown liquid.

King5 Television reports none of the estimated 50 people who were inside the sanctuary were injured by the criminal’s actions.  The fire was put out by congregation members before the fire department arrived.

A news release issued by the Seattle, Washington Police Department says, “Seattle Police Arson/Bomb Squad detectives have taken over the investigation and are working with witnesses to develop a suspect description.

Officials have not yet determined a motive for the act of violence against the congregation.

 

Motive behind California church arson unknown

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A spokesperson for the Eureka, California Police Department Wednesday morning said a fire at a Catholic Church building has been ruled arson.

Investigators released a photo they say shows the person behind the September 10 attack at St. Bernard’s Church. The identity of the man in the photo remains a mystery as of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

A police department news release says damage caused by the arsonist is minor.  A motive for the arson is unknown.

The police spokesperson asked anyone with information about the fire to call Officer Dalby at 707-441-4060.

Church members put out flames after arsonist strikes at Maryland church

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An investigator with the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office has determined a church fire was intentionally set.

According to a report from WBOC, Church members were able to extinguish a fire at Refuge Temple Church of God before firefighters arrived Tuesday morning. Details of the fire have not been released, but WJLA television reports the fire marshal’s office was called due to, “the nature of the incident.” Delmarvanow.com reports the fire was intentionally set at the front doors and that, “several pieces of evidence” were collected.

Investigators have not identified a suspect or motive in the crime.  Officials are asking for anyone with information about the attack to call the Lower Eastern Region Office of the State Fire Marshal at 410-713-3780.

Police investigate California church vandalism as hate crime

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Shattered glass, a burned Christian flag and fire extinguisher residue in the sanctuary are among things noted by police investigating vandalism at a Fresno, California church building.  KFSN Television reports officers are investigating the incident at the East Fresno Baptist Church as a hate crime, although the motive has not yet been determined.

The damage was discovered by a deacon on Sunday. Although the destruction was substantial enough that services had to be moved to another location, the loss is not considered major. The Fresno Bee reports it is estimated at between $700 and $1,500.

Your Central Valley reports this is the second time in five months the church building has been damaged.