Police Release Video, Seek Suspect in Casa Grande Church Arson

CASA GRANDE, AZ. — The Casa Grande Police Department has released video footage of a suspect believed to be responsible for the October 18 fire that caused significant damage to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Casa Grande. Police are requesting the public’s help in identifying the individual captured in the surveillance video.

The incident comes at a time when the Family Research Council (FRC) has documented an increase in incidents affecting churches nationwide. According to research by FRC’s Director of the Center for Religious Liberty, Arielle Del Turco, M.A., there were at least 75 instances of arson or attempted arson against churches in the first 11 months of 2023 alone. Overall, the organization has documented 436 incidents involving churches between January and November 2023, more than double the number identified in 2022.

The Casa Grande Police Department, working in conjunction with the Casa Grande Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), has determined the fire was intentionally set at the church located at 201 North Picacho Street.

Detective Alex Teitelbaum is leading the investigation and requests anyone with information about the suspect’s identity or the incident to contact him directly at Al*************@ca**********.gov or call (520) 421-8711 ext. 6017.

Initial fire analysis indicated the blaze at St. Anthony’s likely originated in a shed on the property and resulted in approximately 65-70% damage to the church structure.

While the congregation has temporarily relocated services to their community center, plans are already in motion to rebuild the historic brick and steel-frame structure.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the incident is urged to contact Detective Teitelbaum through the provided contact information. The investigation remains ongoing.