An apparent Satanist is burning Bibles on the lands of various churches near Mesa, Arizona.

Police say that the suspect has burned Bibles on six different occasions since May.  The Bibles are usually ripped apart before they’re burned and so far there’s been no evidence left behind for police to use in their investigation.

Officials say the incidents are “bias crimes” and that at one of the churches, the arsonist scrawled “Hail Satan” on the church’s gates.

The first burned Bible was found on Mother’s Day at Mesa Baptist Church.

“Mother’s Day morning we were opening up our double doors and as we came out we walked right up on a burned Bible,” Pastor Mark Rice told KSAZ-TV, thinking at first it was a prank.  “When it happened [again] a week later, we knew it was intentional.”

The pastor said the “Hail Satan” message was carved into the church gates with a nail or knife in letters three inches high.

Pastor Rice said he hopes that the situation doesn’t turn any more violent or destructive than it has been already.