PHILADELPHIA, PA – A quiet Sunday morning turned grim in Southwest Philadelphia when a woman was discovered unresponsive on the steps of a neighborhood church, … Read more
Toms River, NJ – Fearing Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick and the township council would move forward on a plan to use eminent domain to … Read more
East Drumore Township, PA – As she sat in a church classroom at just 7 years old, a girl was repeatedly assaulted by the man … Read more
Saint Clair Township, PA — A 30-year-old Seward man faces a slate of charges after Pennsylvania State Police say he broke into multiple Saint Clair … Read more
PROVIDENCE, RI – A North Providence man has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to setting fires outside … Read more
NEWARK, N.J. — More than 200 couples celebrating 50, 25, and five years of marriage were recognized during a special Wedding Anniversary Mass held June … Read more
MORRISTOWN, N.J. — A former parish bookkeeper admitted in court to stealing nearly $293,000 from two Morris County churches over a six-year period, prosecutors said. … Read more
NORTH ARLINGTON, N.J. — Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, led a Memorial Day Mass on Monday at Holy Cross Cemetery to honor … Read more
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Emergency personnel responded Saturday evening to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in front of St. Joseph’s Church on Hooper Avenue, … Read more
MILLVILLE, N.J. — A man died Saturday night after being shot and crashing his vehicle on the 900 block of Church Street, prompting a joint … Read more
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A reported bomb threat at St. Al’s Church and its adjacent school on Monday led to a full evacuation of the … Read more
QUEENS, NY — A part-time church employee who coordinated altar servers at a Queens parish was arrested earlier this month after an abuse allegation was … Read more
ORANGE, N.J. — A federal grand jury has indicted two church leaders from Orange, New Jersey, on charges of sex trafficking, forced labor, and conspiracy, … Read more
Two men died Tuesday morning in a tragic accident involving a power line while performing work on the roof of a church in Prince George’s … Read more
SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. — A Florida woman and former church bookkeeper has been indicted on grand larceny charges after prosecutors say she embezzled approximately $80,000 … Read more
The recent passing of the pope has left the Catholic Church at a pivotal moment. With over 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide, the selection of the … Read more
Christ Lutheran Church celebrates 100 years of faith, community, and service in Great Kills STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — On a record-warm March morning, Christ Lutheran … Read more
Key Points: MORRISTOWN, N.J. — A former church bookkeeper has been charged with stealing nearly $300,000 from two Roman Catholic parishes in Morris County over … Read more
HAYMARKET, Va. — A Virginia man was convicted Thursday of attempting to obstruct a church congregation’s religious practices through a violent attack, federal prosecutors announced. … Read more
HIGHLAND PARK, N.J. — The jig is up for a New Jersey church that has received tens of millions of dollars in U.S. AID relief … Read more
HIGHLAND PARK, N.J. — A New Jersey church that received $18 million in federal aid to resettle migrants is now struggling after its funding was … Read more
NEWARK, N.J. — Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man suspected of stealing toolboxes from a church on January 17, 2025, … Read more
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Police are searching for a suspect involved in a burglary at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Center City, where a … Read more
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.
ALLEGANY COUNTY, Md. — A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the intentional burning of a tree at Radiant Life Church in Cumberland, … Read more
NEW YORK — Police are searching for a 21-year-old man in connection with the theft of a gold-plated metal rose from the 9/11 Memorial inside … Read more
POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — A Toms River man was arrested Sunday morning after allegedly dropping a gun inside a church and falsely claiming to … Read more
Priest Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft of Church Donations
**HARRISBURG, PA** – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that George Athanasiou, a Washington County-based priest, has pleaded guilty to felony theft. Athanasiou was charged with misappropriating hundreds of church donation checks, which he signed and deposited via ATM transactions for personal use.
Athanasiou, 37, served as a priest at All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Canonsburg when he illicitly signed, endorsed, and deposited the checks. On Wednesday, he appeared in Washington County Court and paid $155,000 in restitution. His sentencing is scheduled for February 18, 2025.
The investigation by the Office of Attorney General revealed over 200 unauthorized ATM transactions involving the church’s donation checks from 2022 to 2023. Video evidence demonstrated Athanasiou endorsing and depositing these checks via ATM. During a police interview, the priest admitted to stealing and endorsing checks without permission.
Attorney General Henry condemned the actions, emphasizing that the priest betrayed parishioners by stealing funds meant for the church community. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby announced Tuesday that he is stepping down from his position due to a church abuse scandal, according to a statement. … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Police have arrested a man suspected of breaking into a church in Southeast Washington, the Metropolitan Police Department announced. The arrest took … Read more
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The New York City Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect wanted in connection with a hate crime … Read more
Jersey City, NJ – Two men have been charged in connection with a theft involving a Jersey City church, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther … Read more
FREDERICK, MD – Officers from the Frederick Police Department responded to a reported stabbing incident on East Church Street early Wednesday morning. The report was … Read more
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Philadelphia Police Department’s Northwest Detective Division is searching for a suspect involved in an armed robbery at Holy Cross Church in … Read more
NEWARK, DE—The Newark Police Department is currently investigating an incident where a vehicle crashed into the St. John AM Church at the intersection of New … Read more
MILLSBORO, DE — Delaware State Police arrested 44-year-old Brent Ward of Millsboro for multiple felony drug charges on Monday. The arrest occurred on August 5 … Read more
CARROLL COUNTY, MD—A significant fire at Clearfield Bible Church in Westminster has prompted a thorough investigation by local and federal agencies. The incident, which occurred … Read more
QUEENS, NY — On Wednesday afternoon, the New York City Police Department made an arrest connected to a recent burglary within the 111th Precinct. Rostas … Read more
QUEENS, NY — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that 44-year-old Jamshaid Choudhry has been charged with several counts of criminal mischief as a hate … Read more
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Philadelphia Police Department’s Northwest Detective Division is seeking assistance to identify a suspect involved in a commercial burglary. The incident occurred … Read more
BALTIMORE, MD – A 59-year-old man was shot early Sunday morning while allegedly burglarizing a church under construction in Baltimore’s Southwest District. The incident occurred … Read more
WESTFIELD, NJ – The Town of Westfield Police Department announced the cancellation of the Memorial Day Parade due to inclement weather. The notice was posted … Read more
BALTIMORE, MD—A shooting in Baltimore’s Southwest District is under investigation after a 59-year-old man was reportedly shot during an alleged burglary attempt. The incident occurred … Read more
Philadelphia, PA – A barricade situation took place at 700 E Cornwall St in the 25th District. At approximately 8:12 PM, officers were dispatched to … Read more
Chevy Chase, MD – Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 2nd District Investigative Section are investigating a burglary at the Church of … Read more
The Anne Arundel County Police Department announced two ongoing investigations into recent crimes in the area. The first case involves the destruction of property at … Read more
MECHANICSBURG – On Monday, police arrested Roy Andrews, a 76-year-old former church volunteer, on charges involving children following an incident at a Mechanicsburg McDonald’s earlier … Read more
WEST DEPTFORD, NJ – A 44-year-old man faces arson charges in connection with a fire that occurred at Colonial Manor United Methodist Church on Elberne … Read more
SEAFORD, DE – Police are investigating a church-related theft in Seaford. A man identified as 18-year-old Ronald Alberts from Seaford, was arrested by the Delaware … Read more
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Philadelphia Police Department’s Northwest Detective Division is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in multiple burglaries at the … Read more