Man Trashes Church Because He Was Paid By Check..Not Cash

SPOKANE -- An angry church member caused a lot of destruction at a North Spokane Church early Tuesday morning.

The Spokane County Sheriff's Department says the dispute was over a $70 electric repair bill. That bill apparently sparked a tirade overnight.

The suspect, Mark Heitman, allegedly used his truck to ram the Country Crossroads Christian Church at 7011 North Altamont. That was his last stop, but before doing that, he went on a rampage at the church pastor's home.

That pastor, Dan Eubank, told us Heitman went to his home first and broke out windows in his truck before heading to the church.

Eubank said that he believes Heitman was upset over repair work he had done for the church.

"He'd done work on the church and we paid him with a check not cash, I didn't have cash and he got mad," said Eubank.

Heitman rammed the church building several times with his truck, apparently trying to get in. When he did break in, he reportedly broke nearly every window, television and computer screen, and most of the lighting fixtures. He also allegedly smashed the church instruments, and even crushed the toilets. Damages are estimated at tens of thousands of dollars.

Sheriff's deputies say they found Heitman at Auto Masters on North Nevada. A friend working at the shop said Heitman was crying and felt terrible for what he'd done to the church, and that he was planning on turning himself in.

Country Crossroads Christian Church has a congregation of about 120 people and has been serving the community for over 15 years. Pastor Eubank is waiting on the insurance to assess the situation to get his church up and running again.

Heitman is being charged with second degree burglary and malicious mischief.