Mediaboss Marketing

A Massachusetts man is facing charges after damage to a church and flags on Thursday morning.

According to Detective Lieutenant Michael Skowyra, during the early morning hours, the Kingston Police Department responded to reports of malicious damage to the First Parish Unitarian Church (223 Main St). An investigation ensued.

It is alleged that an individual illegally entered the First Parish Unitarian Church overnight as well as did significant damage to the building, ripping off and destroying handmade 200-year-old shutters, smashing antique glass, spraying a fire extinguisher throughout the building, etc. Additionally, the individual is believed to have set fire to flags which were outside the building and charred pieces of the building in the process as well. The flags which were ripped and destroyed were Pride and Black Lives Matter flags.

Overall damage estimates have not been tallied at this point, but initial estimates are in the tens of thousands.

During the investigation, a suspect was developed and as the scene was processed, police began to look into additional information about the suspect. Around that time, 43-year-old Jonathan White of Plymouth was found to return to the scene and appearing to be watching officers process the scene (common for arsonists).

A Kingston PD Detective noticed White to be the suspect and attempted to stop him. He yelled at the detective, took off in his vehicle, turned around, struck a sign, and fled. A Kingston PD Patrolman was able to find the suspect vehicle as he fled and stop him shortly down the road.

The investigation revealed various connections to White and his alleged presence at the scene overnight.

Multiple pieces of evidence were gathered and are being processed.

White was arrested and is facing several felony charges relative to the damage and burning of the church. He will be arraigned at Plymouth District Court.

Police are asking those in the 200-250 block of Main Street, or the side streets that connect to this area, review their home surveillance cameras from approximately midnight until 6:30AM this morning. Residents are asked to look for footage consistent with a white 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe which has a spotlight outside of the drivers door (similar to a police cruiser light). Additionally, any other suspicious activity would be of interest.

Kingston Fire, Plymouth County BCI, State Fire Marshals Office, MSP Crime Scene Services, MSP Bomb Squad, MSP Hate Crimes Unit and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted in the investigation and is still ongoing.

The potential for hate crime charges is being reviewed.

Contact Detective Lieutenant Michael Skowyra with any information at mskowyra@kpdmass.org or 781-585-0523 ext. 6662

Go here to read the rest:
Plymouth man accused of causing tens of thousands in damage to church, Pride and Black Lives Matter flags - Fall River Reporter