A California pastor with martial arts experience successfully apprehended a suspected burglar at his church on Thanksgiving Day, crediting divine intervention for his safety. Pastor Nick Neves of First Family Church in Antioch recounted the incident, explaining that he arrived at the church Thursday morning to investigate an alarm and a propped-open door. He encountered the suspect exiting the building with church property. Neves identified himself and informed the suspect he was under citizen's arrest. A struggle ensued, with the two wrestling in the parking lot for approximately 15 minutes until police arrived.

Neves emphasized his efforts to subdue the suspect without causing harm, highlighting the church's mission of community outreach and the difficulty of providing assistance when resources are depleted due to theft. He expressed gratitude for his safety and hoped the suspect would reflect on his actions. The Antioch Police Department confirmed the recovery of an ax used to breach a church window. Neves attributed his successful defense to his jiu-jitsu and kickboxing training, emphasizing his peaceful nature and the defensive application of his skills.

The police department commended Neves' actions, noting the suspect's attempt to fight rather than surrender upon discovery. They expressed gratitude for the pastor's safety and praised community members like him for their role in combating crime.