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Man Causes Massive Damage, Threatens Priest & Church Goers At Miami Spanish Monastery

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A man is under arrest after causing a big scare at the Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach.

Police said Jorge Arizamendoza had a terrifying plan for a Sunday service at the ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach.

"Post Miranda, the defendant stated that if he would have had his way, and officers weren't there working the detail, he was going to lock up the place and take everyone hostage and kill everyone inside," Det. Aldo Alfonso said.

Police were stationed at the historic church on west Dixie Highway at 167th Street after the pastor and a witness said Arizamendoza caused $2,000 worth of damage to this sign on Wednesday and returned Thursday and beheaded an 800-year-old statue of King Alphonso the 7th.

"He took a stick from his car and smashed it," witness Carolina Delvecchio said.

"When you saw him, what did you think?" CBS4's Peter D'Oench asked Delvecchio.

"I started running after him and he got in his car," Delvecchio responded.

Father Gregory Mansfield said Arizamendoza, who was known throughout the food programs and was homeless, made a promise.

"When he left Thursday, he said, 'I'll be back.' He said, 'Tell the priest I will be coming for him,'" Mansfield said.

North Miami Beach Police Chief Bill Hernandez said, "Came up with a plan. He might return here on Sunday. We took proactive measure and put a command post out here. Put three officers out here looking for him and sure enough he showed up."

Mansfield showed D'Oench how he said Arizamendoza started shaking a sanctuary door.

"He came in down the aisle shouting where's the priest and shouting you can't have services here," Mansfield demonstrated. "He went to the altar and the rail and started slamming it and shouting for everyone to get out of here and he was going to kill people."

The 140 church goers fled.

According to Det. Alfonso, Arizamendoza also had words of hate for the LGBT community.

"Also post Miranda, he mentioned several things about the gay community and blamed everything on homosexuals for what was going on in the church," Alfonso said.

Police said no weapon was ever found on this suspect.

Father Mansfield says he has no idea why Arizamendoza was so angry.

"These things always frighten you. There is a reason that we call church's our homes and sanctuaries. You feel like you are in a safe place," Father Mansfield said. "Why was he so angry? That was the question of the day. I think it would behoove law enforcement to know more and for him to have a psych evaluation."

Arizamendoza appeared in bond court on Monday morning and is being held on $92,500 bond.

He is being charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a religious institution, disturbing a religious assembly, burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and three counts of criminal mischief at a place of warship.

Father Mansfield says he has no idea if any of the threats would have been carried out, but he will take steps to increase security.

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