3 charged with burning of near century-old church in central Alberta, police looking for other potential suspects

Three people have been charged after a near century-old church was burned down in the hamlet of Bellis in central Alberta. (Supplied)

RCMP have charged three people and are searching for at least one more in relation to a near century-old church that was burned down in the hamlet of Bellis on Sept. 21.

A Thursday news release from Mounties said officers received calls about one attempted and one successful vehicle theft shortly after 2 a.m. last Sunday.

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Officers located the suspects who left the area in two separate vehicles, driving erratically.

The suspect vehicles fled and a tire deflation device was deployed. One of the vehicles steered toward a police cruiser, crashing into it.

Police said officers pulled up to the vehicle and were bear-maced by one of the suspects.

The stolen vehicle fled the scene. The other vehicle eventually stopped with two suspects fleeing on foot.

Police dog services and aircraft members were used in locating and arresting three suspects, one of which was a youth.

At 3:28 a.m., officers received reports of a fire in the hamlet of Bellis that ultimately destroyed the All Saints Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Firestorm, a fire and arson investigation service that attended the scene, determined that an accelerant was likely used in the fire.

Upon further investigation, items found in the suspect vehicle, including candelabras and crucifixes, led officers to link the church fire to the individuals involved in the vehicle theft.

As a result of the investigation, the youth, a 23-year-old and a 26-year-old were arrested and charged with:

• flight from police;
• dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
• mischief under $5,000;
• assaulting police with a weapon;
• break and enter;
• arson;
• possession of break-in tools;
• possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000; and
• mischief to cultural property.

The youth and 26-year-old were both remanded into custody and are to appear in court this week. The 23-year-old was released on conditions and is to appear in court on Oct. 23.

RCMP believe there is at least one more suspect that has yet to be identified or arrested. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Smoky Lake RCMP. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers.