Update: Juvenile Identified in Church Vandalism and Arsons

Per MCPD:
“Investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division of the Montgomery County Department of Police have been working closely with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, Fire and Explosive Investigators into the arson and vandalism of two churches along Old Georgetown Road in the North Bethesda area. The matter is being handled in the juvenile court. There is no ongoing threat to the community in relation to these incidents. All further inquiries should be directed to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, Fire and Explosive Investigators.”

July 11th, 2022:
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services responded to North Bethesda United Methodist Church (10100 Old Georgetown Rd) in North Bethesda on Saturday, July 9, around 1:30am after the church’s fire alarm system was activated.  Firefighters located several areas where small fires were set, or attempted to be set, inside of the church. Damages are estimated to be around $1,000. Investigators also located damaged head stones and scattered broken wood pieces at Wildwood Baptist Church at 10200 Old Georgetown Rd, right down the road from United Methodist. On Sunday, July 10, MCFRS responded to a fire alarm at the St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church (9601 Old Georgetown Rd) shortly before 2am and arrived to find several pews on fire inside the church, according to a our Public Safety Correspondent Cordell Pugh. The fire was knocked down a short time later. Sixty-five firefighters responded to the scene and there were no injuries reported. Damages are estimated to be around $50,000.