Des Moines police have arrested a man accused of breaking into an east side church using his car. The incident occurred early Sunday morning at Experience Church on East Euclid Avenue. Authorities have identified the suspect as 58-year-old Jeffrey Grother, who now faces charges of second-degree criminal mischief.According to Experience Church's lead pastor, Charles Cole, the damage was discovered shortly before Sunday services."We went around to the back, and I felt this cold breeze. All of a sudden, I come around the corner, and our double doors are just smashed in, glass everywhere," Cole said.Security footage from inside the church captured Grother walking through the halls around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. The situation took an unexpected turn on Monday when Grother returned to the church, with glass still embedded in his car, where he was confronted by Pastor Cole on video. During their exchange, Grother claimed he mistook the church for his credit union."Did you think it was your home or something?" Cole asked.Grother responded, "I thought it was my credit union."Cole pressed further, asking how the damage was caused."Did you use your car to back it in, or did you use a sledgehammer? Because, I mean, you tore that door up," Cole said.Grother admitted, "My car."When asked why he attempted to enter the building, Grother explained, "I thought it'd be open."Cole later expressed disbelief in an interview with KCCI, saying, "Well, you used your car? And he's like, well, I was mad. And I was like, at 2:30 in the morning?"Officers arrived shortly after that confrontation and arrested him on-site. Cole noted that while nothing appeared to be stolen, the church's insurance company required a police report to address the damage."I don't know if I wanted to press any charges except for, I think the insurance — we're going to have to do something because they're going to want to go after his insurance with his car because that's what he did the damage with," Cole said.Despite the incident, Cole expressed compassion for Grother, saying the church prayed for him during Sunday’s service. Grother, in turn, apologized in the video, saying, "I'm very sorry."Grother is currently being held at the Polk County Jail.» Subscribe to KCCI's YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
DES MOINES, Iowa —
Des Moines police have arrested a man accused of breaking into an east side church using his car. The incident occurred early Sunday morning at Experience Church on East Euclid Avenue. Authorities have identified the suspect as 58-year-old Jeffrey Grother, who now faces charges of second-degree criminal mischief.
According to Experience Church's lead pastor, Charles Cole, the damage was discovered shortly before Sunday services.
"We went around to the back, and I felt this cold breeze. All of a sudden, I come around the corner, and our double doors are just smashed in, glass everywhere," Cole said.
Security footage from inside the church captured Grother walking through the halls around 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
The situation took an unexpected turn on Monday when Grother returned to the church, with glass still embedded in his car, where he was confronted by Pastor Cole on video.
During their exchange, Grother claimed he mistook the church for his credit union.
"Did you think it was your home or something?" Cole asked.
Grother responded, "I thought it was my credit union."
Cole pressed further, asking how the damage was caused.
"Did you use your car to back it in, or did you use a sledgehammer? Because, I mean, you tore that door up," Cole said.
Grother admitted, "My car."
When asked why he attempted to enter the building, Grother explained, "I thought it'd be open."
Cole later expressed disbelief in an interview with KCCI, saying, "Well, you used your car? And he's like, well, I was mad. And I was like, at 2:30 in the morning?"
Officers arrived shortly after that confrontation and arrested him on-site. Cole noted that while nothing appeared to be stolen, the church's insurance company required a police report to address the damage.
"I don't know if I wanted to press any charges except for, I think the insurance — we're going to have to do something because they're going to want to go after his insurance with his car because that's what he did the damage with," Cole said.
Despite the incident, Cole expressed compassion for Grother, saying the church prayed for him during Sunday’s service. Grother, in turn, apologized in the video, saying, "I'm very sorry."
Grother is currently being held at the Polk County Jail.
» Subscribe to KCCI's YouTube page
» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
