Two men are in custody after allegedly assaulting a pastor, robbing him, and driving away in the pastor’s car. David Harris, 36, and Jaddin Norris, 20, are in custody and face several charges.
The alleged assault and robbery occurred in Statesville, North Carolina.
According to a statement released by the Statesville Police Department on Thursday (Jan. 23), the incident occurred on Jan. 1.
“During this incident, a local pastor was assaulted, robbed, and had his vehicle stolen while renovating his church,” the statement said. Police said that the men “were working alongside the pastor during the renovation process when the incident occurred.”
Investigators believe that a third suspect was involved.
RELATED: Retired Pastor Found Not Guilty of 1975 Murder of 8-Year-Old Girl
According to police, Harris allegedly carried out the assault on the pastor and the theft of his vehicle, and Norris allegedly acted as an accomplice by following Harris in a separate vehicle, later assisting him after the pastor’s stolen vehicle was abandoned.
The name of the pastor and his church have not been publicly disclosed.
RELATED: MMA-Trained Pastor Restrains Man Who Broke Into Church With an Axe on Thanksgiving Morning
According to WHKY, Harris faces felony charges of common law robbery, larceny, larceny of a motor vehicle, and assault inflicting serious bodily injury.
He has also been charged with simple assault and resisting a public officer. Both of those charges are misdemeanors.