Man turns himself in after setting church vans on fire, deputies say

PAULINE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday they responded to an arson report at a church on July 4th at around 5:00 a.m.

Upon arrival at 3119 Hwy 56 (Philadelphia Baptist Church), deputies saw two burning vans behind the church that were actively being put out by Glenn Springs Fire Department.

Deputies said a witness described the suspect’s appearance and the direction he ran after setting the vans on fire. The witness said the suspect got into a truck and drove off. The witness said she tried to catch up to him, but he eventually lost her.

Deputies also said they located a red gas can with fresh gas still on it in front of the witness’s home.

According to deputies, the church did not have any cameras on the side of the building where the arson occurred.

Deputies said the suspect, Brandon Thomas Greene, 18, turned himself in and confessed to the incident on Friday afternoon.

Deputies said a motive for his actions are still unknown.

Greene is charged with 2 counts of third degree arson. He was booked into Spartanburg Co. Sheriff’s Office under a $10,000 bond.

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