CLARKESVILLE – A Clarkesville man remains jailed on three felony charges after being arrested inside a church north of Clarkesville Thursday.
Thomas Oscar Ward, 41, is charged with vandalism to a place of worship, second-degree burglary, and second-degree criminal damage to property at Alley’s Chapel Community Church on Ga. 197 at Alley’s Chapel Road.
“This was actually a burglary in progress at the time deputies arrived,” said Habersham County Sheriff’s Lt. Matt Wurtz. “A passerby called Habersham Dispatch and reported several windows broken. Deputies arrived and cleared the scene and located the suspect in a cleaning closet within the church.”
The church was formed as Alley’s Chapel United Methodist Church in 1870 and the current white frame building was constructed in 1909, three and one-half miles north of Clarkesville.
“The suspect had damaged several items within the church and a door on the outside of the church,” Wurtz said. “The incident took place at about 8:30 a.m. Nov. 5.”
No motive has been given for the incident.
Bond for Ward on the three felony charges has been set at $16,800.
