GP Police Identify Man Who Intentionally Set Fire to 3 Crosses at Church
Grants Pass Police jailed a man for three felony-level crimes after he intentionally lit Christian crosses on fire at a local church early yesterday.
The Police Department reports officers arrested a 44-year-old male subject for the incident at Newsong Christian Fellowship on NE Evelyn Avenue on Friday at 1:24 a.m.. He has since been identified by the agency as Jeremy Robert Johnson.
Police said an employee at the new Pinnacle 365 gas station at 6th Street and Manzanita Avenue called 9-1-1 after a customer witnessed a man lighting three crosses on fire at the church. Officers and firefighters responded to the scene to find the fire already extinguished, but the crosses were still smoldering.
According to the report, the fire caused approximately $1,000 in damage.
The suspect was detained at Taser point a short time later. During contact, he reportedly made numerous statements that indicated he was responsible for the fire. He also was found to be in possession of fuel-drenched clothing.
Johnson was subsequently lodged at the Josephine County Jail on felony charges of 1st-Degree Arson, 2nd-Degree Bias Crime and 1st-Degree Criminal Mischief. He was being held without bail.
Posted on 6/15/24 6:20AM by Sam Marsh