OPA-LOCKA, FLA. (WSVN) - Police have arrested a woman accused of driving into an Opa-locka church and fleeing the scene.
Officers arrested 55-year-old Lilian Perez for allegedly driving into the Opa-locka Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church overnight Monday.
Surveillance video captured the car in question as it was driven in reverse into the church around 3 a.m.
Debris could be seen thrown across the church floor due to that crash and a plywood board remains on the outside of the building to close up the gaping hole, Monday afternoon.
Church members said when they first arrived to the church, they saw the mess, but the driver was nowhere in sight.
“When we saw this, we said, ‘Wow, this is incredible,'” said church member Alina Rivera. “The damage is done. When you do something wrong, you have to pay for it. I’m sorry, but you have to pay for it.”
Opa-locka Police used an anonymous tip to track down the subject who was just blocks away.
Opa-locka Police Chief James Dobson said Perez admitted to the crash.
“She had a strong odor of alcohol coming from her person,” Dobson said, “so it’s possibly alcohol related.”
Meanwhile, church members spent most of their Monday repairing the damage.
“They went to Home Depot to get some materials so they can fix the door, the walls, all this damage here,” said Rivera.
Despite the massive damage, church members said they will continue to worship.
“At this time, they said they are going to continue to move forward with their services during the holiday. They’re not gonna allow this to stop what they want to do for the holidays,” said Dobson.
Members said they will lean on their faith as they continue making repairs.
“We pray all the time, but now, we need more prayers than ever,” Rivera said.
No one was injured in this case.
Perez has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident. Officials said more charges may be pending.
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