A 20-year-old LaFayette, Ga., man, Brandon Dale Harris, was arrested by Walker County deputies around 2:45 a.m. after he wrecked a stolen vehicle he was driving. Following the vehicle accident, he then proceeded to break into Sunnyside Baptist Church where he set multiple fires, Sheriff Steve Wilson said.
The motor vehicle accident happened near Round Pond Road and Old Ringgold Road, and the church is located in the 3500 block of Round Pond Road, LaFayette.
According to Sheriff Wilson, Harris is a suspect in other thefts and entering autos that occurred Thursday night and Friday morning.
The Walker County Sheriff’s Office, Walker County Emergency Services and the State Fire Marshall’s Office are investigating the arson. The church sustained considerable fire, smoke and water damage.
Harris has been charged with arson to a place of worship, motor vehicle theft, burglary second-degree and probation violation, the sheriff said.
Harris will appear in Walker County Superior Court at a date to be determined later.