Watchful Resident Thwarts Would-Be Burglar

A late-night break-in at God's House resulted in a trip to the Big House for one would-be burglar.

Atlanta police arrested a 29-year-old man in Ormewood Park early Saturday morning that they said was stealing from a neighborhood church.

A resident called police at about 12:40 a.m. after he saw Akio Stephens allegedly break into the Bible Christian Ministry Church in the 900 block of Ormewood Terrace.

When police arrived, they found Stephens — whose previous arrests include charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft and battery, among others — in one of the church offices.

Stephens, police said, had taken items from an office desk, including camera equipment and stacked them on the floor to take with him.

Police said he had a pair of gloves, a wrench and several screwdrivers in his possession when arrested.

Stephens is charged with:

• Possession of tools to commit a crime
• Battery
• Loitering
• Vandalism to a place of worship