Man arrested as a suspect in Austin synagogue arson fire

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Officials said an 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged with arson for a fire at an Austin synagogue. KVUE-TV in Austin reports Franklin Barrett Sechriest is held on a $100,000 bond for the Oct. 31 fire at Congregation Beth Israel. According to the Austin Fire Department, the fire was a “small exterior fire” that caused an estimated $25,000 damage to the building, including the synagogue’s wooden doors. No injuries were reported. An arrest affidavit describes surveillance videos showing a suspect resembling Sechriest driving a black sport utility vehicle registered to a woman living at the same address as Sechriest.