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Springs Police Arrest Man Suspected Of Damaging Church With Hatchet

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Colorado Springs have arrested a man they believe vandalized a church and a car with a hatchet.

According to police, on Saturday at approximately 7:42 p.m. officers responded to the 4300 block of Austin Bluffs Parkway on a report of a man damaging a car in a parking lot with a hatchet, but the man was no longer at the scene.

"Officers found the victim vehicle had all its windows broken out and significant body damage -- estimated over $2,000.00 worth -- consisting of hatchet marks in the body of the vehicle," police said in a statement.

Police said they then responded to a vandalism call at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church located at 4125 Constitution Avenue at approximately 8:03 p.m.

"The description of the male and the vehicle he was driving matched the description of the male who had damaged the car on Austin Bluffs," police said. "Officers contacted the male inside the church and took him into custody without incident."

Austin Gelsinger, 31, faces charges of second degree burglary and felony criminal mischief.

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