Two arrested in connection with Texas church fires - CNN.com

Two arrested in connection with Texas church fires

February 21, 2010 10:05 p.m. EST

Daniel McAllister, left, and Jason Bourque are charged in one fire and are suspected in others, authorities say.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Call to a tip hot line led to the arrests, ATF says
• NEW: Source: Evidence linked to one of the suspects through DNA
• Two men charged with arson in connection with one Texas church fire
• Men are suspects in nine other church fires in east Texas, authorities say

Dallas, Texas (CNN) -- Two men were arrested and charged Sunday in connection with a string of deliberately set church fires in east Texas, authorities said.

Jason Robert Bourque, 19, and Daniel George McAllister, 21, were charged with one count of arson each in a February 8 fire set at the Dover Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Authorities say they believe the men are connected to nine other church fires that have been set in the area since January 1.

Bourque and McAllister also are suspects in the attempted break-ins at three separate churches earlier this month, said Steve McCraw, director of the public safety department.