Full Notification

TWO ARRESTED AFTER CHURCH BURGLARY, ARSON

Modesto, CA – Modesto Police arrested two people for an assortment of charges including burglary and arson after responding to a silent alarm at a church.

At about 11:44 pm Modesto Police were dispatched to the New Bethany Church at 315 6th Street to investigate a silent burglary alarm. Patrol officer arrived within two minutes and spotted a woman walked away from the church with wrapped Christmas presents in her possession. The woman, 25-year-old Hughson resident Melissa Baker, was immediately stopped and detained by one of the responding officers.

A second suspect, 39-year-old Modesto resident Randy McClain, climbed out of one of the church windows moments later. Officers at the scene could see flames inside the church after he climbed out of the window and within moments an explosion occurred inside of the church causing the windows to blow out. McClain was arrested without incident.

The Modesto Fire Department responded to extinguish the fire. The church sustained significant damage as a result of the fire, believed to be deliberately set to cover up evidence of the burglary. The quick response by fire personnel limited the structural damage primarily to a building addition adjacent to the main church sanctuary. No damage assessment was immediately available.

Randy McClain and Melissa Baker were arrested and booked for arson, burglary, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of stolen property, and parole violations.

The Christmas gifts taken from the church were intended for children in need and had been individually labeled for distribution to specific children.

For further information regarding this press release please contact Sgt. Brian Findlen at (209) 652-1386.