Teen accused of church arsons

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Mary Richards reportingWest Jordan police have arrested a 17-year-old boy they say tried to start three fires at churches recently. They say his weapon was a soda can filled with gasoline.

Police say the teenager was spotted Thursday morning leaving St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church at about 7400 S. Redwood Road, on a skateboard. The witness saw smoke coming out of a broken window at the church.

The same church was hit on May 29. On May 31 an LDS Church down the street was hit in the same way. Fire crews quickly put out all of the fires.

Police arrested the 17-year-old at his house between the two churches. They say they are not treating the fires as hate crimes, but a Parish secretary tells the Salt Lake Tribune the boy told investigators he was against all religions for manipulating people.

Police say they are looking for three other teenagers who may have been involved in one or more of the fires.

E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com