Alert Neighbor Stops Suspect From Breaking Into NW OKC Church

Oklahoman City police arrested a man over the weekend for attempting to break into a northwest Oklahoma City church. 

The pastor of Christ Central Church near northwest 50th Street and May Avenue said that was not the first time someone has tried to break into the church or steal from them. Scott Campbell said he does not plan to press charges against 38-year-old James Sheridan, he wants to help the man. 

“It’s not unusual for us to have people mess with our building sometimes,” said Scott Campbell, pastor.   

That was exactly what a witness caught Sheridan doing to a door at the church just after midnight on Saturday when the building was empty. 

“It was a business next door where someone saw a man trying to make entry into a church,” said Msgt. Gary Knight, Oklahoma City Police Department. “He was messing with the door. It doesn’t appear he ever got in.” 

Sheridan was still there when an officer arrived. When questioned about the damaged doorknob and tools on the ground, Sheridan told the officer he was working on his bike and the door was already damaged. 

The officer had more questions when he searched the man's backpack and found methamphetamines and items that did not belong to Sheridan. 

“He had numerous credit cards and debit cards that belonged to other people on him,” said Knight. “Some that had been reported stolen.”    

Campbell said he was relieved an alert neighbor intervened before Sheridan got into the building. He said the fire department across the street has helped in the past. 

“We had a guy stealing copper from our air conditioning units before and they were the ones to report that, so we’re really thankful to have good neighbors,” said Campbell. “We don’t know the best way to keep them from breaking in, but we do want to help them in any way we can.” 

Police arrested Sheridan and booked him into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a number of complaints.