JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The driver of a stolen SUV fleeing a traffic stop by the Florida Highway Patrol crashed through the wall of a church building Thursday morning at the corner of West 45th Street and Avenue B in northwest Jacksonville.
The building houses the Jesus Paid It All, All to Him I Owe Outreach and Deliverance Ministry, which have been in the location for five years.
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News4Jax learned that Desean Tillman, 22, was charged with car theft, possession of stolen property, fleeing, reckless driving, resisting arrest and trespassing.
According to Tillman's arrest report, a trooper took interest in the Chevrolet Equinox because it had dark-tinted windows and ran the tag. When it came back stolen and the trooper tried to pull over the SUV, it took off at high speed, then crashed into the church.
The pastor said the SUV crashed into part of the church where no one was working and no worship services are held. It plans to hold services as normal on Sunday.
"God made a way so that it didn't get damaged so his people could still get fed, and that's what we're going to do," said Shai Mitchell, the pastor's daughter who witnessed the crash.