KATY, Texas – A wanted man responsible for the evacuation of a Katy-area church Monday morning was arrested after he was found hiding in a shed on the property, deputies said.
Cody Buthman, 23, is charged with evading arrest and burglary of a motor vehicle.
Buthman had been questioned early Monday morning by deputies concerning a rash of car burglaries in the Nottingham Country subdivision when suddenly he bolted on foot.
"He ran through the neighborhood, jumped over fences, causing a lot of ruckus," said Assistant Chief J.J. Laine, with the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office.
At one point, Laine said Buthman ducked into nearby Kingsland Baptist Church at 20555 Kingsland Boulevard.
Deputies called for the evacuation of the church, where an adult bible study was taking place Monday morning.
"Actually it was pretty organized. We have protocols for safety and security. He never came near anyone and no one was ever in danger," Senior Pastor Ryan Rush said.
A police K-9 unit found Buthman hiding in a shed in the parking lot area of the church a short time later.
The evacuation lasted a little less than an hour.
Several neighbors applauded the arrest, citing a series of recent burglaries.
One man had surveillance video which showed someone, resembling the suspect, rifling through a car. The homeowner lives two doors down from the suspect.