Arsonists target 7th church in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- (KTVI) -- Arsonists targeted another church overnight in north St. Louis.

Around 1:45 a.m., someone set fire to the entrance of the Shrine of St. Joseph Catholic Church on north 11th Street at Biddle.

The fire burned the front doorway of the rectory at the historic church that was built by the Jesuits in 1843. This is the seventh arson attack at churches in north St. Louis City and County in the past two weeks.

Chief Dennis Jenkerson says the damage is very similar. He calls it "very, very disturbing."

According to Chief Sam Dotson, whoever is responsible for this fire did some research. He believes they scouted the area and knew they could get in and out without possibly being seen. He says the rectory is a secluded area that doesn't have video cameras.

The reward had grown for information leading to an arrest in the string of arson cases. It's now at $9,000 thanks to an additional $5,000 from the Missouri Fire Marshal's office.

If you have any information in this case please call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477) or visit stlrcs.org.

FULL STORY: Arsonists target 7th church in St. Louis - KTVI

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