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Tabernacle Baptist Church was among the two churches that were set on fire, the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office says. Neighbors helped save the church.
Street View image from March 2023. © 2025 Google
Two churches found burning in Casar, North Carolina, were intentionally set on fire and a suspect has been arrested, according to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office.
The fires were discovered between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, and good Samaritans are credited with saving the churches from being destroyed, the sheriff’s office said in an Oct. 24 case update.
“The affected churches were Tabernacle Baptist Church on Corinth Church Road and Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church on Mt. Zion Church Road. Both buildings sustained damage,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Fortunately, quick-thinking citizens noticed the fires early and were able to extinguish them before significant damage occurred.”
A week-long investigation led deputies to arrest 40-year-old Craig Vegh of Casar on Oct. 24, officials said. Details of a motive have not been released.
He has been “charged with two counts of burning of church/religious establishment, possession of methamphetamine, and destroying/altering evidence,” the sheriff’s office said.
Bond was set at $500,000.
“Sheriff Alan Norman expresses his gratitude to the citizens who acted quickly, to the fire and law enforcement personnel who responded, and to the investigators whose persistence led to the arrest,” the sheriff’s office said.
“Acts of arson and all other crimes against places of worship will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent.”
Casar is about a 65-mile drive northwest from Charlotte.
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Mark Price
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