Church Crime Watch 01/21/2024
This edition is heavy with sexual abuse and arson. You will start to see common threads each week regarding crime in churches. Learn from these and start strengthening your weaknesses. We know God prevails in the end, but we should be preparing so our flock can worship our Lord and Savior in peace.
Police Enter Church, Guns Drawn, and Confront Gunman
Mental Competence Questioned in Douglas Church Arson Case
In Douglas, Arizona, a significant development has occurred in the case of two historic church arsons. The suspect, Eric Ridenour, charged with committing arson and hate crimes, is under scrutiny for his mental competence to stand trial. Ridenour allegedly targeted the churches due to their acceptance of a female and a gay pastor, actions he believed to be against God's law. Despite Ridenour's readiness for trial, a recent psychological evaluation has brought forth concerns. The evaluating doctor initially found Ridenour competent but also mentioned possible grandiose and delusional behavior, which could impact his trial competence. This contradiction has led to a Federal Judge ordering a new hearing to clarify these findings. The decision on Ridenour's mental competence is pending and is expected to be addressed in an upcoming court session later this month.(Arson is one of the biggest crimes against churches. Please… I’ll repeat this each week…. get a burglar and fire alarm for your church and reinforce all of your entry points).
Attempted Burglary at Bronx Church
A recent incident of attempted burglary has occurred at the Place of Worship Church of God in Bronx, New York. The suspect, a 36-year-old homeless man named Jonathan Delvalle, was charged with attempted burglary after unlawfully entering the church located at 1920 Crotona Ave. The break-in happened on January 3, around 12:13 p.m., when Delvalle reportedly used an unknown tool to gain access through the church's basement door. He allegedly stole a safe containing business documents and other items, although the total value of the stolen goods was not disclosed. Delvalle, who has a history of six prior arrests, including four for burglary, was apprehended on January 4. The circumstances leading to his arrest remain unspecified. The NYPD is actively seeking information from the public regarding this incident. (I’ll say it again, each and every week, get a burglar alarm)
Megachurch Pastor Placed on Leave for Alcohol Use
Lead Pastor Jeff Frazier of Chapelstreet Church in Illinois, a prominent Evangelical megachurch in the Chicago suburbs, has been put on administrative leave due to alcohol use on church premises and alleged concealment of this misconduct. The church's Executive Council, led by Chairman Sean Glore, communicated the decision to members on January 3. Frazier's actions, which included alcohol possession and use during his duties at the church and his willful concealment of these actions, have led to this disciplinary measure. Brian Coffey, previously the pastor of leadership and development at Chapel street, has been appointed as the interim lead pastor. The church leadership has initiated a healing and restoration process for Frazier, although the duration and outcome of this process remain uncertain. Chapel street Church, part of Converge Worldwide, is known for its significant community of over 5,200 members and operates with a governance model that involves both the congregation and pastors in decision-making. (Teams should be training their people on how to recognize drug and alcohol abuse. I may be including this in upcoming training at CWT).
Tragic Fire at Northeast Portland Church Claims Two Lives
In a devastating incident, two women in their mid-70s lost their lives in a large fire that partially destroyed a church in northeast Portland. The fire, which occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday at the 2800 block of NE 62nd Ave., also affected a neighboring home. Portland Fire & Rescue responded to the emergency around 4:12 a.m., after receiving a 911 call about the fire engulfing both the church and the adjacent residence. Despite attempts to rescue potential victims trapped in the church's second story, firefighters were forced to retreat due to the intensity of the flames. The fire was eventually brought under control at approximately 5:50 a.m. While the church suffered significant damage, including a partial collapse, the adjacent home was not destroyed, and its inhabitants evacuated safely without injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Evacuation and Arrest at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Placentia
St. Joseph Catholic Church in Placentia, California, experienced a tense situation on the morning of January 16, 2024, when police, searching for an armed man, detained a suspect inside the church. The incident, which occurred during a Holy Communion service, led to the evacuation of the church. The situation began with a report of a possible gunshot in the nearby area of Bradford Avenue and sightings of a man with a handgun. Placentia Police, Fullerton Police, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene, with officers directing the evacuation and ensuring the safety of the congregation. Although the church was evacuated to search for additional suspects and a weapon, no other individuals or firearms were found. After securing the area, worshippers were allowed to return to the service. Nearby schools, including Valencia High School, Ruby Drive Elementary, and Kraemer Middle School, were instructed to shelter in place during the incident. The investigation into the incident and the suspect's motives is ongoing. (This is the 3rd week in a row where a suspect has sought refuge in a church. This is common! If you see police activity is in your area and it looks serious, lock your church doors and call the police to see if you should be concerned)
Suspect Charged in 2022 Rochester Church Arson Case
After an extensive investigation spanning nearly 20 months, the Rochester Police Department has identified and charged 22-year-old Sesen Tesfay in connection with a 2022 arson at Peace United Church of Christ in Rochester, Minnesota. Tesfay, a Rochester resident, faces charges of first-degree arson, second-degree burglary, first-degree damage to property, and misdemeanor theft. This follows Tesfay's previous conviction for property damage in July 2022. The arson incident resulted in over $4 million in damages to the church, significantly impacting its programs and ministries. Lead pastor Paul Brauch expressed relief at the progress in the case, emphasizing the church's commitment to support and help those in need, including the accused. The church's preschool and childcare director, Christina Valdez, also voiced comfort in finding answers and highlighted the strong community support in overcoming this challenging period. Peace United Church of Christ is located at 1503 2nd Avenue NE in Rochester.
Suspect Charged in 2022 Rochester Church Arson Case
After an extensive investigation spanning nearly 20 months, the Rochester Police Department has identified and charged 22-year-old Sesen Tesfay in connection with a 2022 arson at Peace United Church of Christ in Rochester, Minnesota. Tesfay, a Rochester resident, faces charges of first-degree arson, second-degree burglary, first-degree damage to property, and misdemeanor theft. This follows Tesfay's previous conviction for property damage in July 2022. The arson incident resulted in over $4 million in damages to the church, significantly impacting its programs and ministries. Lead pastor Paul Brauch expressed relief at the progress in the case, emphasizing the church's commitment to support and help those in need, including the accused. The church's preschool and childcare director, Christina Valdez, also voiced comfort in finding answers and highlighted the strong community support in overcoming this challenging period. Peace United Church of Christ is located at 1503 2nd Avenue NE in Rochester.
Vandalism at Rock of Cogic Church in Memphis
The Rock of Cogic Church in Memphis, Tennessee, was the target of vandalism on January 10, 2024. Memphis police reported that a woman was captured on camera breaking the front door glass of the church, located at 2145 Perry Road, around 7 p.m. The suspect, described as a heavily-built woman, was wearing a black ski mask, a black jacket with a circular logo on the left chest, dark tight-fitted pants, and dark shoes. The authorities are seeking information regarding the suspect, and Sgt Durham at the Airways Station G.I.B. can be contacted at 901-636-4800 for any leads related to the vandalism. This incident has prompted an appeal to the public for assistance in identifying the perpetrator. (Look at this video quality. Look at your surveillance system and make sure it is taking 4k images. Look at people at your door and make sure that it shows facial features and make sure parking lot cameras can clearly make out vehicle makes and models).
Tragic Loss from Suspected Carbon Monoxide Poisoning at Church Retreat
A community in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, is grieving the loss of Kara Hanks, a youth group leader from Grace Fellowship Church, who tragically passed away due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. The incident occurred during a youth group retreat at The Bluegrass Palace in Langley. Kentucky State Police reported that Hanks and another woman were found unresponsive and were rushed to the hospital, where Hanks was pronounced dead upon arrival. The second woman is still receiving treatment. The children present at the retreat were reportedly unharmed. Jeff Blankenship, an attorney for the church, stated that counseling is being provided to the families and youth who attended the retreat. The Floyd County Coroner is awaiting a toxicology report and autopsy to confirm the official cause of death, but no foul play is suspected in this unfortunate incident. (this is the second carbon monoxide poisoning in a church in the last month. Invest in good monitors and check your equipment each start of winter).
Child Sex Abuse Allegations Against Riverside Church Volunteers
In Riverside, California, a husband and wife associated with a prominent church have been arrested on multiple counts of child sexual and physical abuse. 47-year-old Jose Cruz Martinez and 48-year-old Dawn Renee Johnson, linked to the Harvest Christian Church, were arrested on January 5th and January 10th, respectively. Martinez faces charges of sexual and physical abuse violations of a minor under 10, while Johnson is accused of aiding and abetting these crimes. Both are held on $2 million bail. The Riverside Police Department's investigation, which began a decade ago, revealed the victims were family members of the couple. Despite Martinez's involvement in youth volunteer work at Harvest Christian Church from 2016 to 2023, the abuse did not occur at the church, nor were church members involved. Authorities believe there may be more victims and encourage anyone with information to come forward. (If one of your church staff or church volunteers is arrested for a sex crime, IMMEDIATELY start and internal investigation. Where there is one victim, there are multiple. Every. Single. Time. Get ahead of the problem first.)
Dream City Christian School Teacher Arrested for Sexual Abuse
Nathaniel Pineda, a teacher at Dream City Christian School in Glendale, Arizona, has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing a minor. The Glendale Police Department confirmed that Pineda faces charges of sexual abuse, sexual conduct with a minor, and luring a minor for sexual conduct. The investigation began after the parents of a 15-year-old student discovered concerning text messages on their child's phone, allegedly exchanged between Pineda and the student. According to court records, the minor accused Pineda of sneaking them into his home and sexually abusing them multiple times. During a recorded call, Pineda reportedly urged the student to delete all evidence. Dream City Christian School immediately reported the allegations to law enforcement upon learning of them two weeks ago and has since cooperated fully with the investigation. The school emphasizes the importance of student well-being and requests privacy for those affected by these events. (Parents, your kids don’t deserve privacy. Get software that tracks your kids through their phones. You can see their texts as they see them, where they are, what they are using their phone for, etc. There are numerous apps you can pay for that will do this for you. Times have changed and you need to watch your kids like a hawk).
Calls for Resignation at Immanuel Baptist Church Over Sexual Abuse Mishandling
A deacon at Immanuel Baptist Church (IBC) in Little Rock, Arkansas, has urged Senior Pastor Steven Smith to resign following allegations of mishandling sexual abuse cases involving former church employees. David Choate, a deacon since 2018, accused Pastor Smith of being "untruthful and untrustworthy" in an 11-page letter, addressing years of the church's failure to properly handle child sex abuse incidents and implement adequate safety policies. The call for resignation comes in light of recent revelations about Patrick Stephen Miller, a former IBC Assistant Director of Children’s Ministry, who was accused of molesting a girl in a church classroom in 2015. Miller pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of misdemeanor harassment in 2022. Choate's letter also mentioned an incident involving a 23-year-old female volunteer youth leader at IBC and a teenage male in 2020, which was not fully disclosed to the congregation. The church has adopted the denomination's Caring Well guidelines for child safety, but Choate claims that previous safety protocols were not implemented as claimed by Pastor Smith.
Read the full article on Julie Roys' website'
Aggravated Robbery in Church Parking Lot Leads to Four Arrests
In Gilbert, Arizona, the police have arrested two adults and two juveniles following an aggravated robbery that occurred in November in a church parking lot. The incident, which took place near Greenfield and Guadalupe roads, involved the robbery of a backpack from an adult victim at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints location. One of the arrested teens, 18-year-old Noah Pennington, was apprehended on January 3 and is involved in three other felony cases. The robbery is reported to be connected to a drug transaction. The Gilbert Police Department has submitted the case to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, recommending charges against all four suspects. This arrest is part of a broader effort by Gilbert police to address a rise in teen violence incidents in the East Valley.
Investigation into Possible Arson at Pasadena Church
Authorities in Pasadena, California, are investigating a possible arson incident at a local church. The Pasadena Fire Department responded to an emergency call at the church located in the 1300 block of Colorado Boulevard around 6:30 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters quickly extinguished the fire. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident. The nature of the fire raised suspicions of arson, leading to an ongoing investigation by local authorities. The situation is currently under close scrutiny to determine the cause and potential motives behind the fire. Further details about the incident are yet to be disclosed as the investigation continues.
Read the full story on FOX 11 Los Angeles
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