Man arrested for arson at cumberland church

Cumberland, MD – A man has been arrested in connection with the deliberate burning of a tree at Radiant Life Church located on Park Street in Cumberland. Dalton Richard Eugene Gates, 32, was identified as the suspect after an investigation that utilized both surveillance footage and a fortuitous discovery on Facebook.

The incident occurred on December 9, just after 5:00 p.m., when a tree was found on fire at the church. The City of Cumberland Fire Department responded quickly to extinguish the blaze. The investigation, led by the Cumberland Fire Marshal’s Office, determined the fire was intentional and sought the help of the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

The investigation gained significant traction when Deputy State Fire Marshal Adam Rounds recognized the suspect’s image on the BCFP Reality News Facebook page. This discovery enabled collaboration with local authorities, including the Pennsylvania State Police and Bedford Borough Police, ultimately identifying and locating Gates.

Gates was apprehended on Thursday by the Pennsylvania State Police and is currently in custody at Bedford County Correctional Facility, awaiting extradition. He faces charges of malicious destruction of property and second-degree malicious burning.

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