(NewsNation) — Martial arts training came in handy for one California pastor Thanksgiving morning when he was confronted by a burglar.
A man used an axe to break into a window and enter the First Family Church in Antioch, California, early Thursday, police said.
The pastor arrived at the church in response to the alarm going off.
“When the burglar saw his wicked deeds had been discovered, he decided to fight with the pastor instead of repent,” the Antioch Police Department posted to its Facebook page. “What he did not know was the pastor would win this battle of good and evil, and he held down the perp until APD arrived and placed the man in custody. “
Pastor Nick Neves told NBC News that he has a background in mixed martial arts, including jujitsu and kickboxing, which helped him detain the alleged burglar before police arrived.
“I was able to pin him to the ground and he got up and tried to get away several times, but basically just trying to wear him out because I knew I could outlast him,” Neves said. “It was very helpful to be able to grapple with this gentleman without having to do much harm to him.”
The pastor was not injured, according to police.
