A man was arrested Friday night after authorities said he broke into Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in St. Johns County, causing damage and stealing property.
According to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to an alarm at the church, located at 2940 CR-214 in St. Augustine, at approximately 8:35 p.m. on Feb. 13.
While en route, the agency’s Air Unit spotted a man in the woods near the front entrance of the building.
When deputies arrived, they found the church’s front side entrance door shattered, with decorative stone debris scattered on the ground.
The building was cleared, and the suspect soon complied with commands to come out of the woods.
Investigators said a black Dell laptop reported missing from inside the church was located in the wooded area where the suspect was hiding out.
A property manager confirmed the laptop had been taken from an event room.
In addition to the stolen computer, authorities reported damage to multiple areas of the church.
A brown vase valued at approximately $75 was broken, and interior door damage was estimated at $400.
The main entrance door sustained an estimated $2,000 in damage. Total property damage was estimated at roughly $2,475, while the recovered laptop was valued at $400.
The was transported to the St. Johns County Jail, and his case is ongoing.
