Crime & Safety
Man Accused of Church Fire to Face Judge
Darin Wayne Williams was arrested late Sunday morning on suspicion of arson, burglary and committing a hate crime in connection with the burning of a Greek Orthodox Church in Rancho San Diego, San Diego County officials said.
A man accused of setting fire to a Greek Orthodox church in Rancho San Diego is scheduled to be arraigned at the El Cajon courthouse today.
Darin Wayne Williams, 38, was arrested late Sunday morning on suspicion of arson, burglary and committing a hate crime within hours of a fire that caused about $250,000 in damage at Saint Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Church.
No one was hurt in the 4 a.m. fire at 1966 Maryann Way, on the corner of Jamacha Road.
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Investigators from the sheriff's Bomb/Arson Unit and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were summoned. They announced the arrest less than 10 hours after the fire but did not immediately disclose what led them to identify Williams as their suspect.
Rev. Simeon Corona, a Greek Orthodox priest, told U-T San Diego that Williams has been in psychiatric hospitals and was recently released.
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He had been renting a room from a parishioner and allegedly became upset after he was told he could no longer stay there unless he continued taking medication, according to the newspaper.
