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Teen heavily damages Ponte Vedra Beach church

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Police said 17-year-old Michael Hart vandalized a church in Ponte Vedra Beach over the weekend.

A police report said the teen broke stained-glass windows, benches and chairs and even started a small fire.

The damage will cost the church about $10,000.

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Before this all happened, two witnesses made contact with Hart. One woman said he used her phone. When the person he was calling didn’t answer, Hart grew angry and began yelling.

Hart was arrested on several charges including property damage, arson and burglary.

We spoke to two church representatives, who said they had been able to hold services after cleaning up the mess.

The church gave us this statement: “We’re sad that this happened. But Christ is still Risen, so we are still joyful. Repairs are underway and the work of our Church has not, and will not be slowed or stopped. We are praying for the young man and his family. We have already forgiven him, and are working with the appropriate authorities to ensure both that justice is served and that he gets the help he needs.”

Hart's mother told us over the phone she did not want to comment on the allegations. 

EDITOR'S NOTE from our news partner News 104.5 WOKV: Our initial report based on the incident report from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office has been edited at the request of the Sheriff's Office. Information regarding statements from the suspect's mother and former girlfriend which were released in the report have been removed at the request of the Sheriff's Office because of the active nature of the investigation.

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The church said in a statement: “We’re sad that this happened. But Christ is still Risen, so we are still joyful."

Posted by Action News Jax on Tuesday, October 18, 2016