Break-In and Arson at Pennsylvania Shrine Center

by Christopher Hodapp

A 72-year old man has been arrested for setting fire to a Shrine Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania, causing well over $130,000 in damages.

This site is sadly becoming a repository for stories of vandalism against the fraternity.

James Kaufman, 72

According to local TV station WTAJ, James Kaufman (photo) was said by local authorities to have been undergoing a 'mental health crisis" and believed his daughter was being held inside Altoona's enormous Jaffa Shrine Center against her will. Early Tuesday morning, he broke inside and began busting windows and destroying furniture. Neighbors heard the noise and called police. Kaufman had obviously come prepared and apparently spent some time in the building, as investigators found Shrine items in his car.  They discovered kerosene had been spread and set alight in the main arena and auditorium. 

Kaufman is charged with Risking a Catastrophe, Arson, Burglary and many associated charges. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident.

This may very well just be an unfortunate man suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's. But it would be unwise to ignore the possibility of a deliberate anti-Masonic attack. The recent increase in these kinds of incidents - and worse - throughout North America over the last couple of years needs to be brought attention to local police. Local law enforcement may not always be aware that Masons and Shriners are on a growing number of hit lists of paranoids, Jew-haters, or zealous religious fanatics who think we're devil worshipers, and worse. If your Masonic hall or Shrine center is attacked, be sure to alert investigators as to the dangers of these nuts.

Anti-Masonic Texas Murder Suspect Charged with More Arson Attempts

by Christopher Hodapp

Julio Diaz, currently awaiting trial in the murder of a Freemason outside of a Texas Masonic hall, along with prior incidents of damaging that same lodge building, has just been charged in two more arson attacks against a different lodge.

Diaz is accused of shooting WB Robert Wise outside of McAllen Lodge 1110 in southern Texas following an officer's installation on July 10, 2023. He is also accused of attempting to set fire to that building in 2022.

Llano Grande Lodge in Westlaco, TX (Google Earth photo)

According to KRGV-TV5, Hidalgo County authorities have now brought more charges against Diaz regarding two additional arson attempts in February 2023 at the Welasco Masonic temple, located about 20 miles east of McAllen. The Welasco hall is home to Llano Grande Lodge 1173.

Fire damage in 2023. (KRGV-TV5)

After his initial arrest, sources familiar with the investigation said that Diaz believed Masons are "devil worshiping Illuminatists." A Facebook commenter said Diaz had previously posted anti-Masonic comments on social media, claiming the lodge "had put a curse on him."

In April, the judge in the case expressed frustration with Diaz' defense attorney regarding the numerous delays they've requested since his initial court appearance. His tentative trial date is now in early August, but they may request additional time now that these new charges have been brought.

Australian Masonic Temple Destroyed in Arson Attack

by Christopher Hodapp

Two suspected arsonists were arrested after an historic Australian Masonic temple was severely damaged by fire early Wednesday in New South Wales. The temple was home to Northern Rivers Lodge 77. According to several reports, the 1920's-era brick lodge building itself was severely damaged after the roof caught fire and collapsed. The interior is likely gutted, but the facade is still standing.

The two suspects appeared in court on Thursday. Christopher Andrew Mayne (age 32, from Nimbin) and Cameron Robert Surtees (age 36, from Lismore) were released on bail.

From ABCNews Australia:

Richmond Police District crime manager, Detective Inspector Grant Erickson, said the fire was being treated as arson.

"We have a 36-year-old male from Nimbin and a 32-year-old male from Nimbin ... [who] were arrested at the Lismore Central shopping centre at 11am," he said.

"At this stage it's too early for me to say what the cause and origin of that fire is, but we are definitely treating it as suspicious."

Detective Inspector Erickson said the damage done to the building was "catastrophic".

"It's a beautiful building. It's a landmark in Lismore," he said.

The blaze broke out around 4am in the Magellan Street building, which sits across the road from Lismore's library.

It has been the home of Freemasons in the region for almost 100 years.

The Worshipful Master of Northern Rivers Lodge No. 77, Allan Ridgewell, said Freemasons had been gathering in Lismore since the mid-1800s and had built the lodge in the 1920s to 1930s.

"We've done so much for Lismore over the years; it's just so sad to see it happen," he said.

A wooden building that housed as dance studio and a theatre group behind the temple was completely destroyed by the fire, according to NSW Fire and Rescue acting duty commander Fraser Hindry. 

Photo: Nathan Kelly

The Lismore Masonic Temple before the fire

"[The fire spread] to the roof of the main building, which is a masonry building, and unfortunately the roof collapsed," [Hindry] said.

"The contents of the lodge are pretty well damaged."

Mr Hindry said there was no-one in the building at the time of the fire and there had been no reports of injuries.

While the ornate facade of the building is still standing, the back of the building and another structure behind the main hall have been destroyed.

From a 2011 photo of the lodge room. The lodge was largely submerged
under the flooding in 2022.

The lodge had already suffered a terrible loss just a few years ago. The town of Lismore was devastated in 2022 by a major flood that destroyed most of the lodges's original furniture, records, and more. Four days of torrential rains caused the Northern Rivers to rise almost 40 feet, flooding the town and displacing 31,000 residents. 

The town of Lismore was submerged under almost 40 feet of water in 2022.

Local donations from other lodges and the community were instrumental in restoring the building enough for the Masons to move back in recently. The future of the lodge is now unclear.

Suspects Surtees and Mayne have been charged with 'aggravated break and enter' and 'committing a serious indictable offense.' They have not yet pleaded, and both were granted bail with 'certain conditions.' They are due to reappear in Lismore Local Court on November 26th. According to the Daily Telegraph, Surtees is reportedly under a Community Treatment Order (CTO), indicating he is considered mentally ill under law. He is said to be overdue for a required medication and in urgent need of treatment.

When Magistrate Janet Wahlquist released Surtees and Mayne on bail Thursday, she did so, in spite of saying she was "concerned" about Surtees' mental health. But she DID stipulate as part of his bail restrictions that he must stay away from lighters and matches, and stay away from the Masonic lodge - that he had already burned down.

Really. I couldn't possibly make that up.

Reward Offered in Failed Arson Attempt at Ohio Lodge

Photo: Mason Lodge 678 in Mason, Ohio

by Christopher Hodapp

A Masonic temple in a Cincinnati, Ohio suburb escaped what might have been a serious arson fire last month when an incendiary device that was thrown through a window failed to ignite. But police and federal authorities are taking the unsuccessful attack dead seriously, and now the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.

Photo:ATF

Shortly after lodge members left Mason Lodge 678 in Mason, Ohio on the night of September 25th, an unknown person was recorded on surveillance cameras approaching the single-story building. The person smashed open the lodge's kitchen window and hurled a glass bottle filled with flammable liquid through the broken glass. The improvised firebomb had a wad of matches attached to the top that failed to ignite the fluid, landing harmlessly on the floor, where it was found the next day.

Photo: Fox 19

Local police and the ATF are investigating the failed attack as a probable hate crime. From the WLWT-9 website:

"Because it was an considered to be an incendiary device, that was considered a weapon of mass destruction, and because we are a Masonic Lodge, it was declared a hate crime," Rob Fite with Mason Temple Lodge 678 said.

Fite says the Masonic Temple is a fraternal organization that is built on service and community. He said he hopes investigators can find whoever is responsible for the attack.

The bureau says that it is a federal crime to maliciously damage or destroy, or attempt to damage or destroy, with a fire or explosive, carrying a minimum sentence of 5 to 20 years in prison.

Anyone with information about the possible suspect is asked to contact the ATF at 1-888-283-8477 or by using their website. Those with information can also contact the Mason, Ohio Police Department at 513-229-8560.