(651) 290-3092
REWARD OFFERED FOR CHURCH ARSON
Poplar, Montana - Richard E. Chase, Division Director (DD) of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) St. Paul Field Division announced a reward of up to $5,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who intentionally set fire to the Assembly of God Church, Highway 2, Poplar, Montana. This fire caused approximately $2,000.00 in damages to the building and its contents.
On May 2, 2001, at approximately 1:40 p.m., a fire was reported at the Assembly of God Church. The Roosevelt County Sheriff's Department, Montana State Fire Marshal's Office, ATF and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) subsequently responded to the scene to determine a cause of the fire. An ATF Special Agent Certified Fire Investigator (SACFI) and the Montana State Fire Marshal's Office have ruled that this fire was Arson.
DD Chase appealed to the community for assistance, "The crime of Arson is a violent offense against the entire community and arsons aimed at houses of worship are an outrage. ATF will continue utilizing all available resources to combat these violent acts and arrest and convict the individual(s) responsible for this senseless behavior".
Anyone with information concerning this incident is urged to call any of the following telephone numbers:
ATF Billings Field
Office (406) 657-6886
FBI Glasgow Field Office (406) 228-2533
Roosevelt County Sheriff's Department (406) 653-2811
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