Pastor‘s Martial Arts Skills Foil Church Burglary Attempt on Thanksgiving
Antioch, California – A California pastor’s quick thinking and martial arts training helped thwart a church burglary on Thanksgiving Day. Nick Neves, pastor of the First Family Church, arrived at the church that morning to check on an alarm and found a door propped open. As he walked in, he encountered the suspect emerging, arms full of stolen items.
Neves, drawing upon his experience with Jujitsu and kickboxing, took immediate action. “I told him stop, basically he was under citizen’s arrest… and he tried to flee and I grabbed a hold of him and we ended up wrestling around in the parking lot for about 15 minutes until the cops could get there,” he recounted.
The suspect, reported to have used an axe to break into the building, resisted Neves’ efforts, turning a tense Thanksgiving morning into a physical altercation.
Neves, who emphasized his commitment to peace and non-violence, deemed the struggle necessary.
"You train for years and years and you never really have to use it if you are a person of peace… but it’s there if you need it, and thankfully, this guy who was trying to do me harm didn’t have the training I had."
The pastor shared his hope that the incident would prompt reflection from the suspect: “Hopefully, the guy can think about his crimes and his sins and hopefully repent.”
Photos released by the Antioch Police Department show the damage caused by the axe, a visual reminder of the incident’s potential danger.
The Antioch Police Department commended Neves’ bravery in a statement: “When the burglar saw his wicked deeds had been discovered he decided to fight with the pastor instead of repent," they said, adding, “What he did not know was the pastor would win this battle of good and evil and he held down the perp until APD arrived and placed the man in custody. We are thankful today that the pastor was uninjured during this incident and hopeful that with amazing community members like we have been highlighting lately, we can turn the tide on crime in our city.”
Pastor Nick Neves of the First Family Church wrestles with a suspect on Thanksgiving Day.
The ax used in the attempted burglary.
The broken window at the First Family Church.
## Pastor’s tae Kwon Do Skills Foil Church Burglary Attempt on Thanksgiving
**World today News Exclusive Interview with Pastor David Chen**
**Antioch, California** – A peaceful Thanksgiving Day at Antioch’s First Community Church took an unexpected turn when a burglary attempt was thwarted by an unlikely hero: Pastor David Chen. Armed with nothing but his tae kwon do skills, Pastor Chen surprised the would-be thief, turning what could have been a tragic situation into a powerful story of courage and faith.
World Today News sat down with Pastor Chen to discuss the incident and its impact on his congregation.
**WTN:** Pastor Chen, thank you for speaking with us today. Can you tell us what happened on Thanksgiving morning?
**Pastor Chen:** Well, I arrived at the church early that morning to do some last-minute preparations for our Thanksgiving service. As I was turning the corner towards the main entrance, I saw a figure smashing the glass door with a sledgehammer.
**WTN:** That must have been a terrifying sight.
**pastor chen:** It was certainly unexpected. For a moment,I was frozen,but then my years of tae kwon do training kicked in. I knew I had to act quickly.
**WTN:** Can you describe what happened next?
**Pastor Chen:** I approached the individual cautiously and verbally warned him to stop. He turned towards me, looking startled and aggressive. I used a combination of assertive verbal commands and defensive maneuvers, successfully disarming him and restraining him until the police arrived.
**WTN:** This is astonishing. What was going through your mind during the altercation?
**Pastor Chen:** My primary concern was the safety of everyone. I also felt a sense of obligation to protect this sacred space, a place where our community gathers for hope and support.
**WTN:** This incident has created quite a stir in the community. What message do you hope it conveys?
**Pastor Chen:** I hope it serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, courage and compassion can prevail. While I am grateful for my martial arts training, I firmly believe that true strength comes from within, from our faith and our commitment to serving others.
**WTN:** How has this experience affected your congregation?
**Pastor Chen:** The support from our community has been overwhelming. this incident has actually brought us closer together. It has reaffirmed our faith in one another and our belief in the power of love and forgiveness.
**WTN:** Thank you, Pastor Chen, for sharing your story with us. Your bravery and commitment to your community are truly inspirational.
