BELLEVUE, Wash. — A teenager charged with setting a fire at a Bellevue mosque pleaded not guilty in court today.
18-year-old Carlos Diaz Cruz is charged with one count of arson.
Prosecutors say he set fire to the Islamic Center of Eastside March 21.
According to charging documents, the teen was at the mosque with four other people before lighting a stack of paper with a cigarette lighter.
Prosecutors said despite his friends urging him to stop, Diaz Cruz refused and said he wanted to burn the place down.
Today KIRO 7 found flowers left outside the burned-down mosque.
Worshippers had set up a temporary place to gather and pray about a mile away.
A member of the mosque told KIRO 7 today they are happy to see the suspect behind bars.
Diaz Cruz remains in custody on $250,000 bail.
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