Suspect arrested in string of St. Louis area church arsons

ST. LOUIS — Police have made an arrest in connection with a two-week string of church arsons, most of which occurred at places of worship in black neighborhoods, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has learned. The suspect is a black man in his 30s, according to a police source.

Investigators are expected to seek criminal charges against him Friday.

The string of fires, many of which did minimal damage, drew attention of local and federal investigators. The locations drew speculation of whether it was a hate crime.

The targeted structures were:

-Oct. 8: Bethel Nondenominational Church in Jennings, near the St. Louis city limit

-Oct. 10: New Northside Missionary Baptist Church in Jennings

-Oct. 14: St. Augustine Catholic Church in St. Louis

-Oct. 15: New Testament Church of Christ in St. Louis, less than four blocks from St. Augustine

-Oct. 17: New Life Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis

-Oct. 18: Ebenezer Lutheran Church in St. Louis

-Oct. 22: Shrine of St. Joseph in St. Louis

The final fire, at the historic shrine downtown, appeared to break the arsonist’s geographical pattern.

The variety of denominations and types of structures targeted included Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist and nondenominational congregations – four on the north side of St. Louis and two in Jennings. They ranged from the relatively grandiose historic brick structures of St. Augustine Catholic Church and Ebenezer Lutheran Church to the modest storefront used by the New Testament Church of Christ.

The first six churches were within about 5 miles of each other, and sustained varying levels of damage from fires set at their front doors from Oct. 8 to 18. Mainly, the damage was contained. Police presumed they were the work of the same person or people.

The fires were small blazes set against the exterior doors, but in some cases spread.

Various organizations including the St. Louis Police Officers’ Association, the state fire marshal’s office, the St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives contributed to a reward fund that topped $9,000 for information leading to an arrest.