EL CAJON (CNS) - A 38-year-old man was jailed on suspicion of arson, burglary and committing a hate crime after a fire Sunday caused about $250,000 in damage to a Greek Orthodox church in Rancho San Diego, authorities said.
Darin Williams, 38, was identified as a person of interest in the fire, according to San Diego County Sheriff's Department Sgt. E.J. Dayrit.
The 4 a.m. fire was at the Saint Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Church, Dayrit said. 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 or how they identified Williams as their suspect.
Williams was arrested on suspicion of arson, burglary and committing a hate crime, according to Dayrit, who added the investigation was ongoing.
Reverend Simeon Corona told U-T San Diego that Williams had a history of being in psychiatric hospitals and been recently released. He had been renting a room from a parishioner and reportedly became upset after he was told he could no longer stay there unless he continued taking medication, according to the newspaper.
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.