OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A 37-year-old man is accused of stealing copper from the refrigeration systems at an Osceola County church that also helps to feed the homeless, according to Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez.
Deputies said they responded around 10:49 a.m. on Sunday in reference to the thefts at The Rock Church located at 5515 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway.
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Lopez said someone at the church saw a man, later identified as Alejandro Alfaro, stealing property on the previous day around 7:54 p.m. The witness took a photo of the man loading the stolen property onto a wagon that was attached to his bicycle, according to the sheriff.
The witness reported seeing Alfaro again the following day, stealing more items before he ran off.
According to a charging affidavit, a perimeter was set in the area to help locate Alfaro when a witness reported seeing the man running toward Seralago Boulevard in the area of Osceola Parkway.
As deputies were on the way, they spotted a man who matched a description of the suspect riding a bicycle. The man, later identified as Alejandro Alfaro, rode away on the bike in the direction of W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, according to the affidavit.
Deputies said as they followed Alfaro, he rode the bike into the entrance of the nearby Seralago Hotel & Suites. Unable to locate the suspect on property, deputies did locate his bike on the southwest side of the resort.
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According to the affidavit, Alfaro was captured as he ran across W. Osceola Parkway and Seralago Boulevard.
Deputies said Alfaro denied stealing any refrigeration units and claimed a woman had video of him leaving without taking anything.
“This clown goes to The Rock Church where we go to feed the less fortunate and the homeless to steal,” Sheriff Lopez said in a video posted on social media.
Deputies said the total loss of the refrigerator coolant system that was stolen was valued at $5,000.
Lopez said the damaged refrigeration units are where the church stored items to feed the homeless.
Alfaro – who is listed as a transient on the charging affidavit – was taken to the Osceola County jail where he faces charges of grand theft and resisting arrest.
