By VERNON ROBISON
Moapa Valley Progress
An arrest has been made in the incident involving a failed arson attempt on the Logandale Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on St. Joseph Street in Logandale.
On Wednesday, August 21, police arrested Tyler Frazier, 41. Frazier was arrested on multiple charges including 4th degree Arson with Hate Crime Enhancement, Possession of an Incendiary Device, and Attempt to Commit or Cause an Act of Terrorism.
As of Monday afternoon, no other details about Frazier, or the circumstances of his arrest were made available by the District Attorney’s office.
The investigation into the crime began on Sunday, August 18 when a member of the Church congregation observed a five gallon fuel can that had been left sitting atop a half-wall which connected to the west side of the Stake Center building. Tied to the handle of the fuel can was a length of heavy electrical cord. The other end of the cord had been tossed onto the rooftop of the church building.
The Church member reported this observation to authorities. Metro officers responded immediately and began an investigation into the matter. Also found among the shrubbery at the scene was a plastic fireplace lighter, according to Church officials.
It was determined that the suspect might have intended to climb to the roof and use these items to set fire to the building, Church officials said.
After the investigation began, other members of the public came forward saying that they had seen the fuel can in that location earlier in the week but had not thought enough about it to report it to the authorities. Based on the timing of these sightings, it was thought that the incident might have actually occurred as early as Thursday night, August 15.
Due to the intensive Metro investigation Frazier was identified as a person of interest by Monday afternoon, August 19. By Wednesday, Frazier had been located and brought into custody.
