Property Damage News 05/07/2023

(May 4) Colorado Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Hate Crime For Church Arson | Loveland, CO

A Colorado man pleaded guilty today to a hate crime charge in connection with a fire he set to a church in Loveland, Colorado.

According to court documents and admissions during the plea hearing, Darion Ray Sexton, 22, intentionally set fire to the church in the evening hours of Jan. 19. Sexton admitted that he set this fire by throwing two Molotov cocktails at the church – one at the front door and the other at the basement. Sexton further admitted that he was motivated to set this fire due to the religious character of the church and that he intended to destroy the church.

“Protecting religious freedom and observance is a top priority for the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will continue to vigorously prosecute those who attack houses of worship and target religious communities.”

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(May 4) Stained Glass Windows Destroyed, Headstones Flipped Over At Historic Grove Hill Church: Sheriff | NC

Deputies in Granville County are asking for help finding the person(s) who vandalized a church.

According to a post by the Granville County Sheriff's Office, the incident happened over the weekend at Grove Hill Church in the Wilton community.

Pictures included with the sheriff's Facebook post show several stained glass windows that are heavily damaged and headstones overturned in the cemetery adjacent to the church.

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(May 3) Church Fire In The Independence Heights Area

Firefighters arrived on scene within four minutes to find fire coming from the rear of a church  at 4105 Airline Dr. 77022. They forced entry, removing burglar bars, however, due to the fire conditions, crews were unable to go past the doorway.

Once the fire ventilated through the roof they switched to a defensive mode and within a short time a major portion of the roof collapsed. Arial and deck gun water operations were used to help control the fire and nearby structures were protected. Once the fire was controlled, firefighters searched the areas that were deemed safe. 

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(May 2) Nottinghamshire Church 'Saddened' After Wall And Fence Damaged In Crash

A Nottinghamshire church has been left 'saddened' after some of its outside wall and fence was significantly damaged in a car crash.

The incident was reported at around 12.25am on April 6, though staff at the church have been told by police that it may have actually taken place in the days before. Steve Peters, Pastor and Chairman of Trustees at the Kirkby Community Church, based on the corner of Kingsway and St Thomas' Avenue, said he first became aware of the damage when preparing for a Good Friday service.

He said: "It was a bit sad to see and we weren't actually aware until Good Friday when we were all met by the damage. Loss assessors have been round and we're now waiting for them to report back, but we're hoping to repair it as soon as possible because it's not safe in its current state."

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(April 29) 2-Alarm Church Fire In The Edgebrook Area

Firefighters arrived on scene within two minutes to find smoke coming from a church building and established a water supply at 10320 Hartsook St. 77034. A second alarm was requested, and a primary search was completed. The wind was fanning the fire as crews worked to keep it from spreading. Rehab was set up for the firefighters due to the extended time on scene and work required to keep the fire in check and prevented it from spreading to the sanctuary. Multiple hose lines were used, and the fire was fully extinguished and contained to the fellowship hall which suffered major damage. 

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