Investigators say the suspect had sought financial help from the congregation days earlier.
MARIETTA, GA — Police in suburban Atlanta have arrested a 25-year-old man accused of trying to steal money from an offering box inside a Catholic church that had recently helped pay for his hotel stay.
Authorities say Quintavious Jones is charged with burglary and criminal damage to property after investigators linked him to an attempted break-in at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marietta. The case has drawn attention because police say the church had assisted Jones just days before the alleged theft attempt. Officers said the offering box was damaged, and church leaders later contacted police when Jones returned again asking for money.
Police said the events began in mid-February, when Jones approached St. Joseph Catholic Church seeking help paying for a hotel room. Investigators said the congregation provided assistance. About a week later, police said, Jones came back to the church and was captured on surveillance video walking around inside before trying to pry open an offering box using scissors. Marietta police Officer Denise Lozado said the suspect did not get into the box but damaged it while attempting to take money that churchgoers had placed inside.
After the attempted theft, Jones returned a third time about three days later, police said, again asking the church for money. That visit prompted church leaders to call officers, investigators said. Lozado said the church wanted to press charges because the offering box was damaged and because it is important to the church and the people who attend. Police said Jones was arrested and now faces a burglary charge along with a count of criminal damage to property. Investigators have not publicly detailed how much damage was done or whether tools beyond the scissors were recovered.
The case also raised questions that police have not answered publicly. Investigators have not released a specific date and time for the alleged attempted burglary beyond saying it occurred about a week after the initial request for help. Police have not said whether Jones had any prior connection to the church beyond seeking assistance, or whether anyone confronted him inside the building during the incident. Authorities also have not described how Jones entered the church, whether any doors were forced, or whether the church was open to visitors at the time.
St. Joseph Catholic Church serves a busy corridor of Cobb County near central Marietta, where churches often provide short-term aid such as food, referrals, and limited financial help for residents in crisis. Faith-based assistance can include help with temporary lodging for people who say they are between homes or out of money. Police have not said what prompted Jones to seek aid at St. Joseph in the first place, or whether he was referred to other support services. Officers also have not said whether the church has changed its security or visitor policies since the alleged attempt.
In Georgia, burglary charges generally involve entering or remaining in a building with the intent to commit a felony or theft, and investigators typically rely on surveillance video, witness accounts, and physical evidence to support those allegations. In this case, police said surveillance footage showed Jones inside the church and attempting to pry open the offering box. Lozado said the suspect was not able to access the money. Police did not release details about whether the church’s offering box had locks, where it was located inside the building, or whether the damage affected how the church collects donations.
Community reaction centered on the fact that the church had helped Jones shortly before the alleged attempt. Tan Nguyen, a nearby resident, said it was “very uncalled-for,” adding that repaying kindness with wrongdoing was hard to understand. Another nearby resident, Joticia Sarver, called the situation sad and said she hoped people would pray for him. Their comments reflected a mix of frustration and sympathy that often surfaces when alleged crimes intersect with public acts of charity.
Police have not announced any additional suspects, and they have not said whether the investigation is considered closed. Authorities also have not released booking details, bond information, or a first court date in public statements about the case. It was also not clear whether prosecutors would seek restitution for the damage to the offering box or whether the church would pursue any repairs through insurance. Police did not say whether Jones has an attorney who could comment on the allegations.
St. Joseph Catholic Church leaders did not give a public statement in the information released by police, but officers said church representatives contacted law enforcement after Jones returned again requesting money. Investigators did not say whether any church staff members had recognized Jones from earlier visits when he asked for help with the hotel room. Police also did not disclose the hotel’s name or the amount of assistance the church provided, describing it only as help with a hotel room.
The case comes as many places of worship in metro Atlanta and across the country balance open-door missions with practical security concerns. Churches often keep certain areas accessible for prayer and daytime visitors, while trying to safeguard cash donations, electronics, and other property. Offering boxes, donation kiosks, and collection areas can be targets because they contain cash and are often located in common spaces. Police have not said whether St. Joseph had experienced similar incidents before or whether the church had recently upgraded cameras or locks.
For now, the known timeline remains focused on three visits described by police: the initial request for help in mid-February, the return about a week later when investigators say Jones attempted to pry open the offering box, and the third visit three days after that when church leaders called officers. Police said the offering box was damaged during the attempted theft, and they credited surveillance video with documenting the suspect’s movements inside the church. Investigators did not provide images or still frames publicly in the information released about the arrest.
The charges mean the case will move through the local court process, where prosecutors and defense attorneys typically review video evidence, interview witnesses, and assess property damage claims. Police have not said whether they plan to release more details at a later briefing. The next major milestone will be an initial court appearance or bond hearing, though authorities have not provided a date. Until then, investigators have said only that Jones is accused of trying to steal from the offering box and damaging it in the process.
Author note: Last updated March 3, 2026.