A 23-year-old homeless man has been arrested after police say he broke into a church in north Phoenix, disabled security cameras, hid from officers inside the building, and spray-painted a police K-9 during his arrest.
According to court documents, the suspect, identified as Justin Louis Blevins, now faces multiple criminal charges, including burglary, resisting arrest, animal cruelty, and refusing to provide his true identity.
Incident
The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon at La Luz del Mundo church near 11th Street and Hatcher Road in Phoenix’s Sunnyslope neighborhood.
Police allege that Blevins entered the church unlawfully and disconnected the building’s interior security cameras in an apparent effort to avoid detection.
When officers arrived, they reported seeing Blevins briefly open a door before retreating deeper into the church.
Authorities said he ignored repeated commands to surrender and instead hid inside a dark bathroom behind a stack of chairs.
Police Response
After attempts to persuade the suspect to come out were unsuccessful, officers deployed a police K-9 to search the building.
According to investigators, the dog located Blevins hiding in the bathroom.
Police allege that during the encounter, Blevins sprayed an aerosol paint can directly at the K-9 while resisting arrest.
Responding officers reported both hearing the spray and detecting the odor of paint. After the arrest, they observed paint covering parts of the dog’s fur.
Blevins was bitten by the police dog during the confrontation before being taken into custody.
Property Damage
Following the arrest, a church representative inspected the building with officers.
Investigators reported that wood paneling had been torn from the bathroom walls and scattered throughout the room.
The estimated property damage totaled approximately $500.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | La Luz del Mundo church, Phoenix |
| Estimated Damage | About $500 |
| Damaged Area | Church bathroom wall paneling |
Identity Investigation
Police said Blevins initially refused to identify himself accurately.
Instead, investigators say he repeatedly claimed to be a man named “Nikolai Zepulski.”
Authorities later used digital fingerprinting to determine his actual identity as Justin Louis Blevins.
Charges
Blevins was booked into the Maricopa County jail and faces the following charges:
- Burglary
- Resisting arrest
- Animal cruelty
- Refusing to provide his true name to law enforcement
The charges remain allegations, and the case will proceed through the court system.
What Happens Next
Blevins is expected to face court proceedings in Maricopa County as prosecutors pursue the charges filed against him. Authorities have not released additional information about the condition of the police K-9, and the investigation remains ongoing.
