Posted: 6/21/06
Reward raised to $9,500 for church arson
By Joel Stottrup
The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the Feb. 23 arson fire at Princeton United Methodist Church has been increased by $5,000. The new amount comes from Princeton United Methodist.
Princeton police had already offered a $2,000 reward for such information following the Feb. 23 fire that burned a section of the basement and caused great smoke damage.
The state fire marshal's office also has an arson reward fund that pays up to $2,500.
That means a total of up to $9,500 in reward money could be paid out in the case.
The toll-free arson hotline for calling in tips is 800-723-2020. Information can be called to Princeton Police Department at 763-389-4879.
The church has only been partially used since the fire. Pastor Dan Hair said last week that he hopes the church can hold regular worship services again early next month. One of the congregation members is getting married in July and wants the service to be there.
Church services have been held at First Love Fellowship's former worship center along First Street ever since the fire.
The state fire marshal's office determined that the fire was arson. Police found that the church had been broken into about the same time.
Police officers and firefighters descended on the church property after calls went out shortly after 8 a.m. of a fire and a break-in. Workers from the Elim Oasis adult day care service that is located at the church noticed some things out of place when they arrived at about 7 a.m. the day of the fire, which was a Thursday.
Firefighters confined the fire to the basement and squelched it. But by then there was additional damage from smoke seeping up into the worship area in the uppermost level.
No suspects have been found but Police Chief Dave Warneke and his department have been pursuing leads and information. Warneke, about a month ago, said tips are needed with specific, direct information.
Two days after the fire, someone found a gold-colored altar cross that had been taken during the break-in lying in a Mille Lacs County ditch a few miles north of the city.
Then the day after the cross was found, the boom box-style radio that had also been taken during the break-in was found lying in a ditch not far from where the cross was found.
Princeton Union-Eagle
P.O. Box 278
Princeton, MN 55371
Telephone: 763-389-1222
Fax: 763-389-1728