Arson suspect lights main altar, holy table on fire inside St. Clair church, police say

Surveillance video shows man breaking into church

A man suspected of lighting an alter and a holy table on fire inside a St. Clair church on Oct. 1, 2019. (WDIV)

ST. CLAIR, Mich. – An arson suspect lit the main altar and a holy table on fire after breaking into a St. Clair church, officials said.

Surveillance video shows the man breaking into the St. Mary's Catholic Church at 415 North Sixth Street around 2 a.m. Tuesday, according to authorities.

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He set fire to the main altar and a holy table, police said.

Officials described him as white and slender. He was wearing glasses, dark clothing, a poncho and white shoes with black trim around the sole. He was carrying a skateboard and a backpack, according to authorities.

The man approached the church from North Ninth Street around 2 a.m. Tuesday and left the scene around 2:45 a.m. running toward North Ninth Street, police said.

Any nearby residents who have home surveillance video or anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call St. Clair police at 810-329-5710.

A man suspected of lighting an altar and a holy table on fire inside a St. Clair church on Oct. 1, 2019. (WDIV)


A man suspected of lighting an altar and a holy table on fire inside a St. Clair church on Oct. 1, 2019. (WDIV)
A man suspected of lighting an altar and a holy table on fire inside a St. Clair church on Oct. 1, 2019. (WDIV)
A man suspected of lighting an altar and a holy table on fire inside a St. Clair church on Oct. 1, 2019. (WDIV)
A man suspected of lighting an altar and a holy table on fire inside a St. Clair church on Oct. 1, 2019. (WDIV)
A man suspected of lighting an altar and a holy table on fire inside a St. Clair church on Oct. 1, 2019. (WDIV)

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Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.