A Maryland man poured whiskey into holy water during a Christmas Eve midnight mass at a Catholic church and threatened parishioners, police said.
However, police say that was not the only incident.
Congregants chased Von Goetz out of the church, but the sheriff's office told WTOP that Goetz tried to hit them with a whiskey bottle.
Thomas Campbell Bolling von Goetz more than once two St. Mary's Parish Church on Christmas Eve, WTOP-FM reportedThis was reported by the county sheriff's office.
Shortly after 5 p.m., von Goetz entered Holy Angels Catholic Church on the Avenue during Mass, approached the altar and dropped an onion in the aisle, the sheriff's office told WTOP, disturbing the peace of attendees. He added that he had disrupted the
Deputies told police that members of the church chased von Goetz out of the church, but von Goetz responded by throwing tangerines at them.
The sheriff's office said the act amounted to assault, WTOP noted.
Later on Christmas Eve, agents told the station that von Goetz went to midnight mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown, poured whiskey on holy water and threatened to harm parishioners. said.
Congregants chased Von Goetz out of the church, but the sheriff's office told WTOP that Goetz tried to hit them with a whiskey bottle.
Parishioners managed to restrain von Goetz until deputies arrived, the department said, adding that he was immediately taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.
sheriff's office said Von Goetz was arrested Thursday and charged with:
- second degree assault
- disorderly behavior
- desecrate religious property
- religious crimes against groups
- disrupt religious ceremonies
- threat of mass violence
- disturb the peace
The sheriff's office added that von Goetz is being held at the St. Mary's County Detention Center and Rehabilitation Center pending an appearance in District Court.
(H/T: not bees)
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