SUV Sought in Alabama Arson Probe

Federal law enforcement agents are seeking a dark sport utility vehicle -- possibly and black or dark blue Nissan or Toyota -- in connection with the investigation into the burning of nine rural churches in Alabama.

Five Alabama churches were set on fire Friday in Bibb County, Alabama and four more were torched early Tuesday in three other counties. All four of the churches burned Tuesday had predominantly black congregations, but the five burned Friday were both black and white congregations.

Two members of Old Union Baptish Church burned in Bibb County Friday told investigators they saw a dark-colored SUV driving slowly by the church shortly after the fire was set.

"They were looking at the church when I spotted them," one of the witnesses, Alvin Lawley, said. "It was like they wanted to see what they had done."

Witnesses in west Alabama also reported seeing a dark SUV near at least one of the burned churches that were burned Tuesday.

See Also:
Dark SUV Sought in Ala. Church Fires Probe
Governor: All Nine Alabama Church Fires Appear Linked

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