On Tuesday December 6, 2018 at approximately 4:30 pm, Huachuca City Police Department personnel arrested a 15-year-old male Huachuca City resident as part of an ongoing investigation into the arson fires, criminal damage and trespassing of the Huachuca City Methodist Church.
A connection to criminal activity at other locations within On Tuesday December 6, 2018 at approximately 4:30 pm, officers from the Huachuca City Police Department (HCPD) arrested a 15-year-old male Huachuca City resident as part of an ongoing investigation into the arson fires, criminal damage and trespassing of the Huachuca City Methodist Church. A connection to criminal activity at other locations within Huachuca City during this same period is also being reviewed.
The fires involving the Huachuca City Methodist Church located at 506 N. Gila Street were reported on October 18, 2018 and November 27, 2018.
One brush fire near the Huachuca City Methodist Church was also reported in October. HCPD received reports of additional criminal activity including, but not limited to, criminal damage and trespassing during this same time period.
All of these criminal incidents have been part of an ongoing investigation by HCPD in conjunction with the Whetstone Fire District and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.
Significant leads were developed through this collaboration which resulted in the arrest of the juvenile. On December 6, 2018 the juvenile was arrested and booked into the Cochise County Jail on the following Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) charges:
13-1703A – Arson of Structure / Property Felony 2 Counts
13-1506A1 – Burglary 3rd Deg-Unlaw Entry Felony 2 Counts
13-1604A1 – AGG CRIM DMGE-Deface Worship Felony 2 Counts
13-1504A5 – CRIM TRESP 1st DEG Desecrate Felony 2 Counts
Huachuca City citizens have referred to the Huachuca City Methodist Church (known to many as The Church on the Hill) as being a beacon of light for all who have come to Huachuca City throughout the previous 70 plus years.
The fires involving the Huachuca City Methodist Church located at 506 N. Gila Street were reported on October 18, 2018 and November 27, 2018.
One brush fire near the Huachuca City Methodist Church was also reported in October. HCPD received reports of additional criminal activity including, but not limited to, criminal damage and trespassing during this same time period.
All of these criminal incidents have been part of an ongoing investigation by HCPD in conjunction with the Whetstone Fire District and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.
On December 6, 2018 the juvenile was arrested and booked into the Cochise County Jail on the following Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) charges:
13-1703A – Arson of Structure / Property Felony 2 Counts
13-1506A1 – Burglary 3rd Deg-Unlaw Entry Felony 2 Counts
13-1604A1 – AGG CRIM DMGE-Deface Worship Felony 2 Counts
13-1504A5 – CRIM TRESP 1st DEG Desecrate Felony 2 Counts