North Carolina man arrested and accused of threatening Apostle John of VB

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia – Police officers arrested a man Friday morning who they believe is behind threats against St. John the Apostle, a Catholic church and private school with students in kindergarten through 8th grade.

Bobby Dale Francisco, 30, was arrested at his home in South Mills, North Carolina, according to the Camden County Sheriff's Office. He is being held in the Albemarle District Jail on $1,000,000 bail pending extradition to Virginia, the sheriff's office added.

See previous coverage: St. John the Apostle cancels classes Thursday and Friday due to threat

Due to threats, classes are cancelled on Thursday and Friday.

Virginia Beach police confirmed to News 3 that the threats Francisco allegedly made were directed at St. John the Apostle, where classes were canceled last Thursday and Friday as a precautionary measure.

The Catholic Diocese of Richmond, speaking on behalf of the Apostle John, said the threat “came from someone outside of Virginia Beach with no connection to the school community. And we know that this individual sent the threat in response to news reports about the school's recent disciplinary decision, as it specifically referenced it.”

Police did not disclose the nature of the threats but said they were made via electronic means of communication.

Check out previous coverage: North Carolina man to be extradited to VB for making threats, sheriff's office says

North Carolina man to be extradited to Virginia Beach for making threats

After the investigation, Virginia Beach Police identified Francisco as a suspect and obtained warrants for his arrest. The Camden County Sheriff's Office also obtained a search warrant for his home.

The Currituck County Sheriff's Office said its SWAT team helped arrest Francisco because the threats were “serious.”

According to police, Francisco will face charges in connection with the threats after his extradition to Virginia Beach.