Local man arrested after allegedly breaking into Columbus church, setting fire to basement

On Saturday, September 5, a man allegedly broke into St. Stephens Episcopal Church near Ohio State’s campus around 7 a.m.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Video surveillance footage shows an individual breaking into the back door staircase. Suspect Lawrence Rose admitted to police that he broke a window with his elbow to gain entry to the church.

Inside the church’s basement, Rose allegedly used a torch-style lighter to set fire to his book bag, then threw the bag onto a chair in the basement. 

The Columbus Division of Fire responded to a report of the fire, and they found the chair with fire damage, also burning the carpet and walls of the church’s basement.

Rose was taken to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for self-inflicted wounds, according to court documents, and then taken into custody by police. He’s been charged with felony Aggravated Arson.

Want to read more? Check out our print publications, (614) Magazine and Stock & Barrel. Learn where you can find free copies of our newest issues here!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY