Two Arrested in Connection with Texas Church Fires
ICC Note
Arson attacks against churches in east Texas may finally come to an end after arrest of two suspects.
02/22/2010 United States (CNN)–Two men were arrested and charged Sunday in connection with a string of deliberately set church fires in east Texas, authorities said.
Jason Robert Bourque, 19, and Daniel George McAllister, 21, were charged with one count of arson each in a February 8 fire set at the Dover Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Authorities say they believe the men are connected to nine other church fires that have been set in the area since January 1.
Bourque and McAllister also are suspects in the attempted break-ins at three separate churches earlier this month, said Steve McCraw, director of the public safety department.
A federal law enforcement source told CNN that multiple pieces of evidence have been linked to one of the suspects through DNA and that many of the fires were ignited the same way.
“East Texans can rest easier tonight,” McCraw said at a news conference announcing the arrests.
He called the arsons “despicable and cowardly acts.”
