Wreath set on fire in Rome church was done so intentionally; suspect charged with arson, police say

ONEIDA COUNTY- A man from the Mohawk Valley is accused of setting fire to a wreath inside of an area church, investigators say.

Anton Souzadelima, 23, of Rome, NY was arrested Sunday by the Rome City Police Department. He is officially charged with arson.

It was sometime around 2:15 p.m. that afternoon when emergency responders were dispatched to the First United Methodist Church on North George Street.

Firefighters discovered a wreath set ablaze upon arrival. Investigation determined it was set while resting on a card table and was done so on purpose.

While police were examining the scene, a trespass complaint came in over towards the Abraham House on Washington Street. When police arrived, it’s reported that Souzadelima refused to leave the property.

With a description of the church fire suspect already out, police determined that Souzadelima was a match.

He was arrested on scene and was held (as of press time) at the county jail, pending arraignment proceedings.

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