Arrest made in connection to church arsons in Casar

On the night of Oct. 17, 2025, between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., intentional fires were set at two separate churches in Casar, North Carolina. Deputies from the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office responded alongside local fire departments and the Cleveland County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The affected churches were Tabernacle Baptist Church on Corinth Church Road and Calvary’s Cross Baptist Church on Mt. Zion Church Road. Both buildings sustained damage believed to be caused by arson. Fortunately, quick-thinking citizens noticed the fires early and were able to extinguish them before significant damage occurred.

Following an extensive investigation, on Oct. 24, deputies arrested Craig Vegh, age 40, of Casar, NC. Vegh has been charged with two counts of Burning of Church/Religious Establishment, Possession of Methamphetamine and Destroying/Altering Evidence. He is currently being held at the Cleveland County Detention Center under $500,000.00 bond.

Sheriff Alan Norman expresses his gratitude to the citizens who acted quickly, to the fire and law enforcement personnel who responded, and to the investigators whose persistence led to the arrest, emphasizing that acts of arson and all other crimes against places of worship will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent.

The investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to contact the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office at (704) 484-4822 or Cleveland County Crime Stoppers at (704) 481-8477. Tips submitted through Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous.

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This is a press release.

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