More Church Arsons in East Texas

[URL=http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/21/texas.church.fires/index.html Two arrested in connection with Texas church fires[/URL]

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.

“East Texans can rest easier tonight,” McCraw said at a news conference announcing the arrests.

[URL=http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/4864/53/ Two former Baptist youth-group members suspected in church arsons [/URL]

Two young men suspected of setting 10 East Texas churches on fire were active in the youth group of a Southern Baptist congregation before drifting away from church after the mother of one of them died three years ago.