3 suspects named after disturbance at Temple Beth Israel, St. Anthony of Padua in Fresno, police say
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The three men arrested following the disturbance at Temple Beth Israel and St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fresno were named by police on Friday, following the incidents at the religious sites on Thursday.
According to the Fresno Police Department, officers responded to Temple Beth Israel on Herndon and Maroa avenues in Fresno on Thursday at around 4:30 p.m. regarding a disturbance. When officers arrived, they say those responsible for the disturbance had left the scene in a van. The van was found parked at the nearby St. Anthony of Padua Church at Bullard and Maroa avenues. Three men were detained at that location.
2 detained after disturbance at Jewish temple in Fresno
The three men arrested were identified on Friday as 32-year-old Christopher Avila, 32-year-old Daniel Watson, and 31-year-old Colin Laurila. Officers say all three were from outside California and were traveling through the state. Arrest records show Christopher Avila and Daniel Watson are from the State of New York whereas Colin Laurila is from Portland, Oregon.
Police say the men arrived at Temple Beth Israel and posted paper signs on the building. Employees at the temple confronted the men and the men quoted bible verses in response. Officers say when the employees spoke about taking the signs down, the men made threatening statements if they did so. The men then left Temple Beth Israel and the employees called the police. The men were arrested at the nearby St. Anthony of Padua Church.
Officers also determined that the incident at Temple Beth Israel was not the first and that the three men were at another nearby church with a similar confrontation. That church was not named by police.
A van with what appeared to be a New York license plate and a motorcycle with an Oregon license plate were both towed from the scene.
All three suspects were booked into Fresno County Jail, but Laurila and Watson have since been released. All were arrested on suspicion of posting signs on closed lands, trespassing, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Avila was also arrested on suspicion of felony criminal threats.
