Based on the Antioch Police Division, Pastor Nick Neves, 46, of First Household Church responded to the church to verify an alarm early final Thursday. “He was not anticipating to confront a burglar, however that is what occurred,” stated authorities in a tongue-in-cheek press launch.

“When the burglar noticed his depraved deeds had been found he determined to combat with the pastor as a substitute of repent. What he didn’t know was the pastor would win this battle of fine and evil and he held down the perp till APD arrived and positioned the person in custody,” they continued.

Additionally they shared a photograph of the unnamed suspect, in addition to the axe he allegedly used to interrupt a window and acquire entry to the church.

Neves spoke in regards to the incident with NBC Information, saying he shouted on the burglar to cease and knowledgeable him police had been en route — however the man “ran and I grabbed a maintain of him and we ended up wrestling within the car parking zone of the church.”

“I like to remain match, and I studied some jujitsu and kickboxing and I’ve a combined martial arts background,” Neves instructed the outlet. “So it was very useful to have the ability to grapple with this gentleman with out having to do a lot hurt to him.”

“I used to be capable of pin him to the bottom and he received up and tried to get away a number of instances, however mainly simply making an attempt to put on him out as a result of I knew I may outlast him,” he continued, saying the person gave up after about 12-Quarter-hour of wrestling.

Neves additionally referred to as the break-in “ironic,” because the church gave out groceries to these in want simply days beforehand. “However he determined as a substitute to smash home windows and desecrate property and do one thing that is going to harm the ministries,” stated the pastor.

“We’re grateful right this moment that the pastor was unhurt throughout this incident,” police added in an announcement, including that they are “hopeful that with wonderful group members like we’ve been highlighting recently, we are able to flip the tide on crime in our metropolis.”