IFN staff

A Harmony man has been charged with larceny and causing damage to church property after being apprehended while fleeing the scene by an Iredell County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrest Jonathan Ryan Taylor, 35, of Olin Loop, Harmony, in a news release.

Deputy B. Lee was on patrol in the area of Houstonville Road in Harmony about 2:432 a.m. on Thursday when he pulled into Holly Springs Baptist Church to conduct a security check around the exterior of the building, Campbell said.

As Deputy Lee was checking the perimeter of the property, he observed a vehicle parked beside the building and a man standing behind it wearing a face mask and gloves, according to the news release.

After noticing Deputy Lee, the man fled on foot. Following a short foot pursuit, Deputy Lee took the man — who subsequently identified as Taylor — into custody, Campbell said.

Deputies determined that Taylor had been in the process of dismantling and stealing the church’s air conditioning units when the deputy arrived, according to the news release.

Investigators found that two air conditioning units had already been completely destroyed, and Taylor had gained access to two additional units before being interrupted by Deputy Lee, preventing further damage, the sheriff said.

Taylor was arrested and transported to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he appeared before Magistrate Hollar, who found probable cause to charge him with felony larceny, felony injury to real property to obtain non-ferrous metals, and misdemeanor resist or delay an officer.

Taylor was issued a $50,000 secured bond.

The Sheriff’s Office encourages churches and businesses in the area to take time today to check on their air conditioning units and other exterior equipment. If you discover any suspicious activity or believe you may have been the victim of a similar crime, contact the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 704-878-3100.