Police have charged 23-year-old Shannon Beauford with vandalizing a Gwinnett County church and stealing its van.
Salt and Light Presbyterian Church was burglarized on Jan. 17. A suspect was seen on surveillance video breaking open the church’s door with a sledgehammer and stealing a van that belonged to the congregation. The van was found burned on Jan. 27 in Hall County.
PREVIOUSLY | Cops: Man broke into Gwinnett church, stole van
The lead investigator on the case received several tips after media reports were made about the theft, and one person identified the suspect as Beauford, police said. Beauford was already in Hall County Jail at the time on an outstanding warrant.
After meeting with Beauford at the jail, a detective took out warrants for burglary, theft by taking a motor vehicle, vandalism to a place of worship and possession of tools for the commission of a crime. The detective also learned of Beauford’s alleged involvement in a separate case and took out a warrant for obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
The Gwinnett County Police Department thanked the public for helping identify Beauford as a suspect.
“We’d like to extend our appreciation to the people who help us solve so many criminal cases such as this one,” said Cpl. Michele Pihera in a release. “Without their helpful information, criminals would have more opportunities to victimize others.”
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office will determine if Beauford will face charges in connection with the burned church van.
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