CRESTVIEW — A Crestview man is accused of burglarizing a home and damaging property — and claiming afterward that he was spiritually called to do it.
A Crestview police officer responded to the report of a home burglary in progress at approximately 3:40 p.m. Feb. 13 at 144 First-W Ave. The caller described the suspect as "a white male waring a long-sleeve plaid shirt standing in the front yard of the residence," an arrest report states.
The officer saw a man speaking on a cell phone in the home's front yard and said he matched the suspect's description. He then restrained Matthew Allen Tobin, of Antioch Road, and released K-9 Officer Kriser, who found a woman inside the home.
The woman said Tobin had keys to the front door and she didn't believe she was there illegally, according to the arrest report.
After the officer read Tobin his Miranda rights, Tobin said these things, according to the arrest report:
He received permission to enter the home through prayer
"A higher power" told him to stay at the home for a couple of days
The stars in the sky told him that keys to the home were in the freezer in the open garage
The officer noted that a truck in the driveway had a broken window, which Tobin allegedly said he broke by accident. Tobin also said he invited the woman to the place and told her he was allowed to be there, according to the arrest report.
Afterward, the police officer said, he learned that the homeowner lives in Dothan and that no one should be in the residence, and he wanted to file charges against Tobin.
The CPD charged Tobin with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, a felony, and property damage, $200 and under, a misdemeanor.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Police: Crestview man said 'higher power' made him burglarize home