EL CAJON (CNS) - A 38-year-old man was jailed for suspicion of arson, burglary and committing a hate crime after a fire today caused about $250,000 in damage to a Greek Orthodox church in Rancho San Diego, a sheriff's sergeant said.
Darin Williams, 38, was quickly identified as a suspect in the apparent arson, investigators said.
The 4 a.m. fire was at the Saint Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Church, according to sheriff's Sgt. E.J. Dayrit. The location is at 1966 Maryann Way, on the corner of Jamacha Road about one mile north of Campo Road, south of El Cajon.
No one was hurt.
Investigators from the sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were summoned, and announced the arrest less than 10 hours after the fire. But they did not immediately disclose what led them to their suspect.
Investigators did not disclose how they identified Williams as their suspect. He was arrested on suspicion of arson, burglary and committing a hate crime, according to Dayrit, who added the investigation was ongoing.
Williams was booked into the San Diego Central Jail and was scheduled to be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to jail records.
