Jacob Davis, 21, is the man police are looking for, said Deputy Chief Adam Bondarek.
Shortly before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a break-in at the church, which is located at the intersection Bolling Road and Ashton Street.
Officers discovered items were taken and someone attempted to set the church on fire. Significant damage was done to the church’s kitchen, Bondarek said. The State Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was called to assist.
Bondarek declined to elaborate on the fire but said Davis is also wanted by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office for larceny of a motorcycle. Davis has a previous record of larceny after breaking and entering.
The fire extinguished itself because there was not enough fuel to sustain the blaze, Lieutenant Richard Cook of the fire department said Thursday.
A source told rrspin.com today, however, it appeared a fire extinguisher was used to suppress the blaze.
Firefighters believe the fire started on the stove and while deemed suspicious, Cook said he could not say if it was malicious.
While there will be services Sunday, it wasn’t clear if they would be held at the church, a person answering the phone said this morning.
The Reverend Randy Martin, pastor of Calvary Baptist across the street, said Thursday his congregation has offered any assistance to the church. “We’re neighbors and on the same team.”
Although different denominations, “We’re still members of the family of God,” Martin said. “It’s such a tragedy when people show that disrespect to the Lord’s house.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810, the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8201 or Halifax County Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.
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