9 unsolved church arsons in Minnesota since 2012

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The Minnesota State Fire Marshal and local police departments need your help solving 9 unsolved arsons. According to state arson investigators, 13 churches in 8 Minnesota communities have been intentionally set on fire since 2012.

Nine of those cases remain unsolved, including last year’s fire that caused millions of dollars in damage at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose and a 2012 fire at a church in Isanti where a suspect was captured on a surveillance camera.

Arson investigators do not believe any of these church fires are connected. 

Notable unsolved arsons in places of worship since 2012

Darling Historic Church on March 24, 2017, in Little Falls READ STORY + VIEW PHOTOS

St. Mary’s Catholic Church on March 11, 2016, in Melrose READ STORY + VIEW PHOTOS

Abandoned church on Aug. 22, 2016, in Deer Creek

Church, Inc., building on Feb. 15, 2016, in St. Paul

Bethany Lutheran Church on June 13, 2014, in Minneapolis

Open Arms Assembly of God on Sept. 6, 2014, in St. Paul

Community Covenant Church on July 11, 2013, in Minneapolis

Faith Baptist Church on Aug. 26, 2013, in St. Paul

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church on May 28, 2012, in Isanti

Reported arsons in places of worship since 2012

2017: Church of Scientology in St. Paul (READ CRIMINAL CHARGES) and Darling Historic Church in Little Falls.

2016: Church, Inc., building in St. Paul, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose and an abandoned church in Deer Creek.

2015: N/A

2014: The Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids, St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Open Arms Assembly of God Church in St. Paul and Bethany Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

2013: Community Covenant Church in Minneapolis and Faith Baptist Church in St. Paul.

2012: Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morristown and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Isanti.

You can call the Minnesota Arson Hotline at 800-723-2020 to submit information about any suspicious fire. Callers can remain anonymous and rewards up to $5,000 are available. Information can also be submitted online at www.mniaai.org.