TYLER (February 22, 2010)—Investigators used convenience store security video and shoe prints to link two men arrested Sunday to two of a string of church fires in East, Texas, according to arrest affidavits that were presented Monday in state district court in Tyler as the men, Jason Robert Bourque, 19, of Lindale, and Daniel George McAllister, 21, of Ben Wheeler, made their first court appearance.

The affidavits say they’re linked to fires near Tyler on the night of Feb. 8 that broke out at the Dover Baptist Church and Clear Spring Missionary Baptist Church.

They’re charged only in connection with the Dover Baptist Church fire, but investigators think they’re linked to fires at nine other churches and break-ins at three churches that weren’t set on fire, officials said Sunday.

“East Texans can rest easier,” said Steven C. McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety Sunday.

Bourque was arrested early Sunday morning in Van Zandt County.

Texas Rangers arrested McAllister early Sunday in San Antonio.

Their bonds were set at $10 million each.

The two attended the First Baptist Church of Ben Wheeler together, authorities said Sunday.

The string of fires started on Jan.1.

The last two fires were set on Feb. 8.

Three other churches were broken into.

“The arsons of these houses of worship were despicable and cowardly acts, and Texas won’t stand for this kind of criminal activity,” McCraw said.

On Feb. 12, investigators released sketches of three persons of interest in the string of fires, but authorities said the three aren’t related to the arrests on Sunday.

A task force of more than 200 DPS personnel worked with federal and local law enforcement authorities to investigate the fires, McCraw said.

Gov. Rick Perry commended the officers and agents who were part of the investigation.

“The criminals responsible for these atrocious attacks terrorized not only the respective church congregations but entire communities,” he said.

“Today's arrests send a strong message that ruthless criminal activity against Texans, our churches and communities will not be tolerated, and that our law enforcement professionals are trained, equipped and committed to seeing justice is served.”

In announcing the arrests Sunday, authorities indicated progress in the investigation of the fire last month that gutted the sanctuary and an adjoining building of Temple’s First Baptist Church.

"We have an individual we believe is involved with that one (Temple fire) and it's unrelated to these here,” an ATF official said.

But ATF Public Information Agent Franceska Perot later said the investigator speaking at the news conference was simply trying to make the point that two men arrested early Sunday were not connected to the fire in Temple.

Temple Fire Department Public Information Officer Thomas Pechal echoed that statement on Sunday night.

"We talk to a number of people, in terms of a single person, I'm not aware of that at this point." Pechal said.

East Texas Churches Set On Fire

Jan. 1: Little Hope Baptist Church, Canton (added to the list Sunday)
Jan 1: Faith Baptist Church, Athens
Jan. 11: Grace Community Church, Athens
Jan. 12: Lake Athens Baptist Church, Athens
Jan. 16: Tyland Baptist Church, Tyler
Jan. 17: First Church of Christ Scientist, Tyler
Jan. 20: Prairie Creek Fellowship, Lindale
Feb. 4: Russell Memorial United Methodist Church, Wills Point
Feb. 8: Dover Baptist Church, Tyler
Feb. 8: Clear Springs Missionary Baptist Church, Lindale, TX.

East Texas Churches That Were Broken Into

Feb. 7: Heritage Baptist Church, Tyler
Feb. 8: Clearview Church, Tyler
Feb. 8: Pine Brook Baptist Church, Tyler