An image illustrating as pastor disarms burglar who attempted to steal from the church wielding an axe/

Pastor disarms a burglar as he tries to steal from the church wielding an axe. The thief met what he never bargained for, when he encountered the martial arts skilled preacher.

In an unexpected twist, an axe-wielding burglar met his match inside a church, recently.  Pastor Nick Neves, 46, responded to an alarm triggered at First Family Church in Antioch, California, and found himself face-to-face with the intruder.

The police confirmed the details in a Facebook post, recounting the unusual encounter. When Pastor Neves arrived at the church, the burglar had already smashed a window with an axe to gain entry. But what the thief didn’t expect was a pastor trained in mixed martial arts (MMA), including jiu-jitsu and kickboxing.

Neves confronted the intruder and it ended in the church’s parking lot. “I shouted at him to stop,” Neves told NBC News. “When I told him the police were on their way, but he ran. I grabbed him, and we ended up wrestling in the parking lot.”

The intruder, though armed with an axe, quickly found himself outmatched. Pastor Neves used his MMA training to gain the upper hand. “I was able to pin him to the ground,” Neves explained. “He kept trying to break free, but I just outlasted him.”

The struggle lasted about 15 minutes. The thief, whose identity has not been revealed, finally surrendered. Police arrived shortly after, taking the suspect into custody.

Martial arts skills saves day as pastor disarms burglar

When police arrived at the scene, they found the axe believed to belong to the burglar. “The burglar didn’t realize the pastor was ready for a fight,” the Antioch Police Department posted. “This was a battle of good and evil, and the pastor won.”

Reflecting on the event, Neves expressed sorrow for the burglar. He lamented the missed opportunity for help. “If he had come a couple of days earlier, we could have fed him,” Neves told NBC. “He could have received care instead of choosing to destroy property and harm the church.”

Neves emphasized that the church is a place of refuge, not confrontation. “He could have found help here,” Neves said. “But instead, he chose to break in and destroy something.”

The pastor’s calm, measured response in the face of danger also highlights the compassion he feels for those in need. “We care about our community,” Neves said. “This situation could have been avoided if he had chosen a different path.”

 Courage and the church’s mission

Pastor Neves’s bravery and martial arts skills garnered local attention, but his reflections on the event resonated deeply with the community. He believes the incident demonstrates the importance of outreach and support for those in need.

“The church is here for everyone, especially those who are struggling,” Neves said. “This man made a choice to hurt others instead of seeking help. It’s sad to think about.”

The church’s mission remains clear: to offer compassion, care, and support to anyone in need. Neves hopes this incident will serve as a reminder of the church’s role as a sanctuary for those who may be struggling.

By Julian Parker

Julian Parker is our accomplished International News Editor, bringing over 15 years of experience in global journalism. With a sharp analytical mind, Julian has a wealth of experience in coverage of crime cases as well as health stories. His career has taken him to various hotspots around the world, where he has reported on some critical health and crime issues. Passionate about uncovering underreported stories, Julian is committed to highlighting diverse perspectives and fostering a deeper understanding of affairs. He holds a degree in Journalism and has contributed to several prestigious media outlets, earning recognition for his insightful analysis and impactful reporting. Outside of work, Julian enjoys reading historical fiction, traveling to off-the-beaten-path destinations, and engaging in discussions about community and current events.

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