MENTAL PATIENT ARRESTED FOR HATE CRIME, ARSON IN BURNING OF GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IN EL CAJON
By Miriam Raftery and Nadin Abbott
January 27, 2013 (El Cajon)- San Diego Sheriff today announced the arrest of Darin Williams in connection to an early morning fire that caused an estimated $250,000 in damage to St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Christian Church in the unincorporated area of El Cajon. Williams s charged with arson, burglary and a hate crime, said Sergeant E. J. Dayitt.
The suspect was released last week from a psychiatric institution and became upset when the church’s priest, Simeon Corona, told him he could no longer stay at a parishioner’s home if he woud not take his medications, U-T San Diego reports. The priest called Williams, 38, a “troubled man.”
Cal Fire/San Miguel Fire District Firefighters responded to the blaze after a resident living near the church spotted the fire and called 9-1-1 just before 4:00 a.m. In addition to Cal/Fire/San Miguel Fire District Firefighters, crews from Heartland Fire and Lakeside helped battle the fire, which took about 45 minutes to knock down. No one was reported inside the St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Christian Church at the time of the fire and there were no injuries.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit was called to investigate, as is customary in such incidents. Williams as identified as a person of interest and arrested today.
According to Mark Gliptis, a Church volunteer, this is a small congregation of 150 men, women and children. The fire could be “a blessing in disguise," he said, adding, "We have wanted to build up the church for a long time and people may now donate, now that others know we are here.”
Traffic was shut down temporarily while firefighters battled the blaze, said ECM photojournalist Paul Kruze, who lives in the area.
Officials with the Church announced plans to move services to a garage since their worship hall is damaged.