INCIDENT:           Arson Investigations

DATE:                    10/19/2015

LOCATION:         Grasonville, MD

DETAILS:              The Sheriff’s Office responded to two incidents in churches located in Grasonville on Monday where small fires had been intentionally set.

At about 3:30 in the afternoon it was discovered at the Chosen Generation Deliverance located 501 Grasonville Cemetery Road that entry had been made to the building and a small paper fire had been set. Fortunately the fire burned itself out without causing any serious damage.

At 1916 hours at Bryan’s M.E. Church on Main Street, a church member discovered that someone had set a small paper fire in the pulpit area. This fire also had burned out but not before a bible on the pulpit was partially burned.

Both cases were turned over to the State Fire Marshall’s Office for further investigation.

Sheriff Gary Hofmann has ordered for additional patrols of area churches to be made and is making arrangements to meet with church and community leaders about the incidents. Hofmann stated that “regardless if this is simple vandalism or has a more serious intent, we will not tolerate actions as this in Queen Anne’s County. Every effort to identify the person or persons committing these crimes is being made”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Senior Deputy S. Cohen at the State Fire Marshall at (410) 822-7609. Tips can also be sent by email to sheriff-info@qac.org or PM to the Sheriff’s Facebook Page.