A 24-year-old man landed in handcuffs last week after what police describe as a chaotic scene at a Fort Lauderdale church, ending with an expletive carved into the congregation’s stone sign, objects hurled at a nearby shower bus and a security guard spit in the face. Staff at the United Church of Christ on Northeast 30th Street held the man until officers arrived, and he was later booked on a charge tied to vandalism at a place of worship. The church runs outreach programs for local residents, including people in need of basic services.
What police say
According to Local 10, a probable cause affidavit states that security guards told officers the suspect, identified as 24-year-old Jeffrey Felix, was asked to leave after causing a disturbance inside but initially refused. The affidavit says that once he headed outside, he began throwing rocks and bottles at a shower bus parked in front of the church, then moved to a stone sign and carved the words “f*** you” into it. Guards tried to subdue him with a Taser, which failed, before using pepper spray to detain him. The property manager told police the church wants to prosecute and estimated repairs to the sign at roughly $2,500.
Felix was taken to Broward Health Imperial Point for medical clearance and, according to the affidavit cited by Local 10, told a detective he “spazzed out” after multiple people cut in line at the church and staff did not step in. He reportedly admitted to throwing a bottle, carving the expletive into the sign and spitting in a security guard’s face. Felix was arrested on a charge of criminal mischief at a church, synagogue, mosque or other religious establishment, and as of Monday afternoon he remained at the Broward County Main Jail on a $2,500 bond.
About the church…