ATF Offers Reward for Church Fires

Three Churches Burned, Task Force Formed

GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wayne L. Dixie, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Charlotte Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the church fires in Stokesdale and Oak Ridge, NC from December 22, 2012 to January 2, 2013.

On December 22, 2012, around 10:00 p.m., someone deliberately set fire to the Gideon Grove United Methodist Church, 2865 Gideon Grove Church Road, Stokesdale, North Carolina, causing over $1 million in damage.

On December 23, 2012, around 9:51 p.m., someone deliberately set fire to the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 3708 Ellisboro Road, Stokesdale, North Carolina, causing $50,000 in damage.

On January 2, 2013, around 7:00 p.m., someone attempted to set fire to the Bethel United Methodist Church, 8424 Haw River Road, Oak Ridge, North Carolina.

These fires are being investigated by the newly formed Church Fire Investigation Task Force consisting of ATF, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI), Rockingham County Fire Marshal and Sheriff's Departments, Guilford County Fire Marshal and Sheriff's Departments.  

Anyone with information about these crimes may report it to the:

ATF Greensboro Field Office:  (336) 235-4900
ATF Arson Hotline:  (888) ATF FIRE   (888) 283-3473
NCSBI Tip Line: (800) 334-3000
Rockingham County Crime Stoppers: (336) 349-9683
Guilford County/Greensboro Crime Stoppers : (336) 373-1000

All information will be treated confidentially and the callers will remain anonymous if they request.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating federal arson and explosive violations and regulating the firearms industry. More information on ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.

Contact:
Earl Woodham, PIO Team Leader
(704) 716-1843 
[email protected] 

Greensboro Field Office
(336) 235-4900

SOURCE Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives