A man has been charged with burglary and arson after authorities say he broke into a Catholic elementary school in Springfield, Missouri, damaged religious items, and set a fire inside the building.
According to KYTV Springfield, a local NBC affiliate, court documents show Isaac Cass, of Missouri, faces second-degree arson and second-degree burglary charges stemming from a May 22 fire at Immaculate Conception School. He was jailed in Greene County, Missouri.
Police responded around 5 a.m. after a nearby officer heard a fire alarm and requested backup. Investigators said surveillance video showed a man later identified as Cass walking through hallways, removing classroom nameplates, kicking over a table, and entering a teacher's lounge where smoke was later visible near the ceiling.
Footage also showed Cass igniting a small item with a lighter and using it to set a banner on fire near the southwest entrance, according to Ozarks First.
Investigators said Cass damaged a framed image of Jesus and three statues of Mary inside the school.
According to investigators, Cass told police that he broke into the building by throwing a rock through a window. Authorities said Cass later said he set the fire.
Court documents state Cass told investigators he was upset by what he described as religious teachings being imposed on others. Investigators said he expressed support for the separation of church and state and objected to a parish school.
Police also reported that Cass displayed erratic behavior during questioning, at times denying knowledge of the fire while making references to the teacher's lounge, religious artwork, and poker strategies.
Authorities said clothing seized from Cass after his arrest matched clothing seen in surveillance footage and in body-camera video from a previous police encounter.
Both charges are Class D felonies under Missouri law and carry a potential prison sentence of up to seven years if Cass is convicted.