RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from The Independent — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 1 sources
Security footage showed Lenita Joy Moreno allegedly stealing lighters from Ace Hardware store while shopping for wedding decor
Bookmark Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks
A Utah bride-to-be allegedly set fire to a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building just hours before her wedding day.
Lenita Joy Moreno, 25, was arrested Monday in connection with the July 10 incident, which caused an estimated $108,000 in damages, as reported by CBS affiliate KUTV .
She is being held without bail at the Davis County Jail, where she faces first-degree aggravated arson charges and misdemeanor charges of retail theft and providing false information to a peace officer. According to court filings, Moreno initially identified herself to police using the name Tessa Moran rather than her legal name.
According to court records seen by Fox 12 Salt Lake City , emergency responders were dispatched to the church at 198 West Center Street around 10:07 p.m. Family members who were inside preparing for the next day’s ceremony told police they were getting ready to leave when the fire alarm sounded.
The group discovered the blaze inside the Relief Society room of the building. One person managed to douse the fire using water from wedding decorations, while another extinguished the remaining flames with a fire extinguisher, according to KUTV .
Fire investigators determined that the blaze was set beneath a chair using unusual materials.
“It is believed that Lenita (Tessa) started a fire within a church building while 5 others were still inside,” a probable cause affidavit obtained by KUTV stated. “Lenita did not obtain a marriage license for her own wedding that was to occur the following day after the fire but had lied stating she had.”
Police interviewed the groom, who said he and Moreno had entered the Relief Society room to secure the building shortly before the alarm activated.
The groom told officers that the couple had visited an Ace Hardware store earlier that day to purchase hooks for the venue decor. Security footage reviewed by investigators showed Moreno stealing two to three lighters from the store while the groom was elsewhere in the building, according to KUTV .
When questioned by authorities, Moreno admitted to shoplifting from the hardware store but declined to state what items she had taken, according to court filings.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.