Deputies Charge DeLand Man With Armed Burglary at Church

Date Added: June 01, 2020 3:20 pm

Laura Williams, Office of
Public Affairs & Media Relations

DEPUTIES CHARGE DELAND MAN WITH ARMED BURGLARY AT CHURCH

Volusia sheriff’s deputies and DeLand police worked together to arrest an armed burglary suspect who broke into a DeLand church this weekend, stealing church property and gift cards from a fundraiser.

On Sunday morning, employees at DeLand Grace Chapel, 405 E. Kentucky Ave., discovered the burglary after the thief had pried open a back door. More than $2,000 worth of tools, a brand-new laptop, musical equipment and gift cards were stolen. The fundraiser gift cards were for Amazon, Dunkin’ Donuts and Chick-Fil-A.

As deputies were investigating the burglary, DeLand police advised they had just tracked a man into woods 50 yards away from the church. In his possession were the stolen tools and a gun.

When deputies showed photographs of the stolen items to the church employees, they confirmed the tools and other valuables were theirs. 

Christopher Nettles, 40 (DOB 9/17/1979), of DeLand is charged with armed burglary and grand theft under $5,000. In addition, DeLand police have charged him with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of methamphetamine in an unrelated case.

Nettles remains in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail on $12,500 bail.