Deputies Recover Stolen Church Van, Arrest Lawrenceville Man

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — What started as a suspicious person call early Thursday morning resulted in the arrest of a Gwinnett County man and the recovery of a stolen church van by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.

Jesse Dean Rust, 29, of Lawrenceville was arrested and charged with felony theft by receiving.

Deputies responded to a gas station at the intersection of White Sulphur Road and Ga. 365 about 4:10 a.m.

When they arrived, deputies approached a 2002 Dodge Ram 3500 van. The white van had decals reading, “Truth, Faith and Deliverance Community Church of St. Petersburg, Florida.”

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A man near the vehicle told deputies he had a flat tire and was awaiting the arrival of a friend from outside of Georgia for help.

A check of the van’s VIN by deputies revealed that it had been reported stolen in Florida. Deputies also discovered damage inside the vehicle that was consistent with it being stolen.

He was booked into the Hall County Jail, where he remained Thursday afternoon.

Photo courtesy Hall County Sheriff's Office