ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – An Alachua County man is facing multiple felony charges after deputies say he broke into two churches and stole a church van.
19-year-old Jamiere Baker was arrested around 1 a.m. on June 19 near on SW Archer Road in Archer. He is charged with two counts of felony burglary of an unoccupied structure, one count of felony grand theft of a motor vehicle, one count of felony criminal mischief to a church or religious article, among other charges.
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What deputies say happened
According to the arrest report, two witnesses told deputies they heard glass breaking near First United Methodist Church on SW 137th Lane around 10:45 p.m. on June 18.
One witness told deputies he went outside after hearing the sound and saw a tall man wearing a gray hoodie and shorts leaving the church headed north.
Deputies say they located Baker north of the church. He was wearing a gray hoodie and shorts matching the description provided by the witness. Deputies say they found car keys labeled “First Baptist 2017 VAN,” a small “Black Cat” firecracker box and less than 20 grams of marijuana.
Two churches targeted, deputies say
Investigators say the incidents involved two separate churches. According to the report, Baker allegedly broke two windows at First United Methodist Church, each on separate buildings within the church. Blood was found near the broken windows. Deputies say Baker had a fresh cut on his left finger and two smaller cuts on the back of his legs at the time of his arrest.
The keys found on Baker were traced to Archer First Baptist Church on SW 137th Ave, according to Baker’s arrest report. Pastor Michael Wright Fox told deputies the keys and a 2017 silver Chevrolet Express van had been reported stolen in a prior case. Fox also confirmed a box of firecrackers was missing from his office.
Deputies say Baker later admitted to entering a church on June 9, where he found the van keys and drove the vehicle. He also allegedly admitted to entering First United Methodist Church on June 19 through a window and taking the firecrackers.
Baker was booked into Alachua County Jail.