An armed pastor stopped a break-in at his church on Thursday.

Officials with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office say deputies were dispatched to a call of shots being fired at Five Forks Baptist Church north of Hillsborough around 3 p.m. Thursday.

Pastor Austin Brown “was working in the church and interrupted the break in,” according to a release. Brown flattened one of the car’s tires while firing multiple shots at the suspect’s vehicle.

The flat tire caused the suspect – identified as Cory Vondell Bradshaw – to stop at an abandoned golf course on McDade Store Road while he was changing the tire. Bradshaw, with a spare tire in hand, encountered Sergeant Brandon Lassiter and fled on foot.

Approximately two hours after the initial incident, authorities took Bradshaw into custody near the intersection of Carr Store and Compton Road without further incident.

Bradshaw was identified by Brown through a photo lineup while authorities were in pursuit of Bradshaw.

Bradshaw, who has a Mebane address, confessed to the incident, according to a release, after warrants were obtained for felony breaking and entering and attempted larceny.

“I’m proud of the quick response and teamwork by members of the Patrol, Civil, and Investigation Divisions who all responded to the call,” Sheriff Charles Blackwood said in a release. “The cooperation and assistance provided by the residents of Cedar Grove were invaluable in helping achieve a successful outcome today.”

Photo via Google Maps

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