Homeless intruder almost destroys Crestview church

CRESTVIEW — A Crestview church was spared possible destruction when the Crestview Police and Fire Departments responded around 11:30 a.m. Dec. 27 to a report of gas in the building and discovered a homeless man asleep in a Sunday school room.

The First Presbyterian Church of Crestview’s custodian entered the education building adjacent to the church and smelled gas. He then noticed a pair of exterior doors facing South Ferdon Boulevard had been kicked in.

He and the church secretary summoned Crestview’s first responders and opened doors to start clearing the gas.

Crestview Police officers discovered the homeless man, Christopher Stanton, 32, who has been known to frequent the church’s soup kitchen, asleep in an upper room with his dog. Police believe the suspect had broken into the church last night.

"The gentleman had apparently tried to light a cigarette using the stove in the kitchen, then left the gas on," the Rev. Mark Broadhead, the church’s pastor, said. "By the time the custodian entered the building, the gas had filled all three floors."

"It could’ve done some serious damage," Fire Chief Tony Holland said. "It definitely would’ve leveled that building and the church, and done significant damage to the law firm next door."

Stanton, who had also helped himself to several packets of chips and left the remnants scattered around the church kitchen floor, was charged with burglary to a structure and willfully damaging a church or place of worship, which are both felonies.

He was remanded to the Okaloosa County Jail. His dog was turned over to P.A.W.S.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Homeless intruder almost destroys Crestview church