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7:42 p.m. • 6-19-13

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Published: 2007-05-25 13:09:00
Updated: 2007-05-25 18:59:33

Suspect Charged in Greenville Church Fires


Police Make Arrest in String of Greenville Church Fires
Police Make Arrest in String of Greenville Church Fires
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A Farmville man has been arrested for a series of break-ins and fires at several churches in Greenville.

Police have charged Seth Parker Price, 28, of Stantonsburg Road, with several counts of breaking and entering, burglary and arson.

Officers responded to a break-in early Sunday morning at a home at 3717 Cattail Lane in the Willow Run subdivision. They also noticed a nearby house that was on fire.

Authorities said an officer saw Price running from the area. Price was later questioned by authorities and released, but he was arrested at his home Friday morning.

Investigators believe Price is responsible for two Jan. 13 fires that destroyed Memorial Baptist Church and damaged Unity Free Will Baptist Church, along with a break-in at Oakmont Baptist Church.

Damage at Memorial Baptist Church was estimated at $1 million. The fire at Unity Free Will Baptist Church was contained to a single room.

Authorities said Price acted alone in all of the cases. Detectives said they believe they know why he commited the crimes, but that motive has not yet been released.

"It's important that this case still needs to be tried," said Greenville Police Chief William Anderson. "We can't try this case in the press and unfortunately, we can't release any of the details as to motive or anything like that. All of that is part of the investigation and will have to come out later."

A task force made up of local and federal investigators was created to investigate the church fires. Investigators said there is no evidence to suggest Price is connected with any hate groups.

  • Reporter: Mike Charbonneau
  • Web Editor: Kamal Wallace

28 Comments


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Latest Comments
I live around the corner from the house he burned to the ground last Sunday, I guess as a distraction from the B&E. This guy needs to be put away.

redstarlean - the population density was not high enough to support a pub on every corner. Yanks drown their sorrows one way, southerners another. Ever heard of Pascal's Wager?

Why is this Low IQ xtian bible stuff so big in the south?

LOSER!!!!!!!!

Aquamarine,I'm all for it. Its the job of those of us who do know who our Ace is to tell others about the blessed hope. Its JESUS CHRIST! Whom the Son sets free is free indeed!

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