John David Possien, 37, of Tri Circle, is charged with burglary and vandalism worth over $5,000 in connection with a his alleged breaking and entering of Northside Presbyterian Church. Police say they caught him trying to escape out of the back door after a tip from the Sheriff's wife led them to the scene. On Wednesday, Tenille Watson dialed the number for her husband, Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson. But she wasn't calling to chat about weekend plans or dinner arrangements.
She had seen a suspicious man lying in a ditch on North Ocoee Street at the old Northside Presbyterian Church, and her husband was in the best position to do something about it.
Watson, who was on patrol at the time, changed course and headed to the ditch. The suspect wasn't there anymore, but nearby, he found a broken window in the Presbyterian church and a trail of blood nearby. Apparently the man had broken into the church and cut himself in the process, Watson reported in a news release.
Watson, along with backup, prepared to enter the building to secure the church. It was at that moment that a man identified as John Possien, 37, of Tri Circle, tried to escape out the back door.
Police were able to stop him by using a taser, before taking him into custody and charging him with burglary and vandalism, causing more than $5,000 in damages. He was booked into jail.