A 19-year-old man was arrested by Ocala police after a pastor allegedly caught him breaking into a local church.

On Wednesday, August 14, shortly after 1:45 p.m., two Ocala Police Department officers responded to Eighth Street Church of God located at 605 NW 8th Street in Ocala in reference to a recent burglary incident, according to the arrest report.

When the officers arrived on scene, they made contact with a pastor who advised that a man had broken into the church. The pastor described the suspect as a Black male who was wearing a dark colored shirt and had twists in his hair.

According to the pastor’s statement, the suspect had entered the church through the back door. The officers used a K-9 partner to track the suspect from the church, which led them to the 900 block of NW 10th Street.

The officers then spotted a man walking in the area who matched the suspect’s description. He was later identified as Hassun Mehdi Hakim.

After being read his Miranda rights, Hakim refused to speak with officers. The pastor was transported to Hakim’s location and positively identified him as the suspect in this case, according to the report.

During an investigation, the officers learned that several drinks belonging to the church had allegedly been consumed by Hakim. In addition, approximately $65 worth of the church’s food had been eaten, and bleach and blood had damaged a white tablecloth ($30 value).

The report stated that Hakim had a backpack in his possession when officers made contact with him. One of the officers noted in the report that an adjustable crescent wrench and vice grip pliers were found inside the backpack, which “may have been used to make entrance to the church.”

Hakim was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $7,000 bond. He is being charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied structure, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief, and second-degree petit theft (first offense).

Hakim has entered a written plea of not guilty. An arraignment will take place at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17, according to court records.