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March 28, 2024 1:38 pm
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Officials Investigate Failed Arson Attempt On Local Church

By VERNON ROBISON

Moapa Valley Progress

Firefighters and law enforcement officials were called to the Logandale Stake Center on Sunday to investigate evidence of an arson attempt on the building. PHOTO BY KRISTY ROBISON/Moapa Valley Progress.

The Logandale Stake Center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the apparent target of a failed arson attempt thought to have taken place late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, August 17-18. No damage was actually done to the building located on St. Joseph Street and Wittwer Ave. in Logandale; and no suspect has been apprehended in the incident.

A member of the Church who was entering the west doors of the church building for worship services on Sunday morning noticed a five-gallon gasoline can, apparently full, which had been set atop a block half-wall up against the building. One end of a lungth of heavy electrical wiring had been tied to the handle of the gas can. The other end of the wire had been thrown up to the roof.

The Church member immediately sensed that something was not right about this situation and alerted authorities immediately.

Responding to the scene a few minutes later were local Metro officers and a squad vehicle from Overton Fire Station #74.

Upon investigation, authorities found that the gas can was indeed full of fuel. A careful inspection of the roof of the building and surrounding area determined that no other items had been left behind and no further evidence of damage or foul play was found.

Officials said that it appeared that someone had brought the can of fuel and thrown the attached wire to the roof with the intention of gaining access to the roof. Once on the roof they would have use the wire as a rope to hoist the fuel can to the rooftop and use the fuel as an accelerant to set fire to the building, authorities said.

It was unknown what may have stopped the person from carrying out the plan, or why the fuel can was left behind.

The matter is under a thorough police investigation. Metro officers entered the gas can, wire and a sample of the fuel as evidence to be submitted to a crime lab for testing.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) was also brought into the investigation.
“This would be a felony offense and it could be state or federal,” said local Metro officer Corey Estes. “Since there was no actual fire and it was just an attempt, it will probably just stay with us. But ATF has been taking a look at it.”

By late Sunday afternoon, local Church leaders had been notified of the incident and put on alert to keep a close eye on local Church buildings to keep them secure.

Local Metro officers also said Sunday that they would be doing a sweep of all Church buildings in the community, even those of other denominations, to make sure that no other similar activities had taken place anywhere else.

In response to the incident, Logandale Stake President Brandon Leavitt expressed appreciation for the local law enforcement response.

“I am tremendously grateful for the Metropolitan Police Department for the professional and diligent manner in which they have, and continue to, handle this situation,” Leavitt said.

In addition Leavitt emphasized the importance and value of church buildings as community places of worship. “Each church facility provides a special setting for members to worhisp and present an image of reverence and dignity in the community,” he said. “Our community is blessed to have many sacred places of worship that represent diverse congregations and beliefs and I am thankful for each and every one of them.”

Anyone with any information on this incident can contact the local Metro substation at 702-397-2669. If no one is available at that number, call the Metro Non-emergency hotline at 3-1-1 to be connected directly to a resident officer.

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2 thoughts on “Officials Investigate Failed Arson Attempt On Local Church”

  1. I wrote to the Progress awhile back about how we as a society need to treat each other better and not assume imminent threat from those who have different beliefs. I guess someone didn’t get the memo. Such acts must be universally condemned by all of us in the valley no matter what our personal beliefs are.

    I’m certain LVMPD and ATF are no doubt working hard to bring those behind this heinous offense to justice if they haven’t already done so.

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