A Gainesville man was arrested Christmas Eve after he was allegedly involved in a domestic violence case and a church burglary shortly after.
According to a press release from the Hall County Sheriff's Office, Samuel Alejandro Carlos, 24, of Gainesville, faces a list of charges for his alleged involvement in the two incidents.
Deputies with the sheriff's office were called just after 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve to investigate a physical domestic dispute at a home on Byers Road in Gainesville. Two women sustained minor injuries in an altercation with Carlos before he fled on foot. The alleged crimes took place in front of several witnesses, including a young child.
As the investigation was underway, a call came in for a burglary in progress at a nearby church. A 911 caller reported he could see a suspect on church security cameras, and a description of the suspect matched Carlos. Deputies responded to Mountain View Baptist Church and found two broken stained glass windows, a broken glass door and some torn sheet rock and insulation. Church staff estimated the damage at more than $15,000.
A K9 team then helped deputies locate Carlos a short distance away from the church on McEver Road. He was arrested at about 8:20 p.m.
B.J. Williams, public information officer with the Hall County Sheriff's Office, said deputies were not able to make any specific connection between Carlos and Mountain View Baptist Church.
Carlos is facing the following charges in connection with the two incidents:
- Battery (Family Violence Act)
- Battery
- Cruelty to children, third degree
- Possession of methamphetamine (0.6 grams)
- Possession of burglary (less than one ounce)
- Burglary, second degree
- Criminal damage to property, second degree
Carlos remained in the Hall County Jail as of Thursday morning.
