Teen carjacks, assaults woman at church

MOBILE, Ala. - A Sunday night church service ended with a bang, literally. This, after a member is held up at gunpoint in the parking lot. Police said a teen in behind it all.

It happened at Forest Hill Church of God of Moffett Road.

Mobile Police said 17-year-old Charles Braggs went to Forest Hill Church of God to not to pray, but to prey on people. Investigators said Braggs carjacked a woman at gunpoint in the back parking lot.

Monday, Pastors Dewayne Moree and Lorne Crabtree showed FOX10 where the crime took place.

"Goes to show you the world we live in, but devastating for church member to go through something like this," said Pastor Moree. "She is a strong woman, and doing okay."

Pastor Moree said it happened just as Sunday night service was let out.

"All of the property is lit up and its starts to dim at the grass," said Pastor Moree, as he pointed to the spot where the victim was carjacked.

"It's sad, but nothing is sacred about our church except we do love God and that's how the enemy tries to attack," said Pastor Moree.

Mobile police said Braggs approached the victim and demanded her car keys.

"When she threw the keys down, he struck her on head and fired a shot into the air with the rifle," said Cpl. Charles Bagsby.

As if a church isn't bad enough, the pastor said there were people present when the suspect pulled the trigger. Pastor Crabtree said other church members went to see what was going on, when the suspect said, "Don't come any closer, I have a gun."

Police said Braggs left in the victim's 2004 Dodge Durango. An hour later, he was picked up by Prichard Police after a brief pursuit.

"The .22 rifle was recovered from inside vehicle, and he was arrested and charged with first degree robbery," said Bagsby.

Now, Forest Hill Church of God is praying nothing like this happens again.

Pastor Moree said a Boy Scout Troop is working to make the back parking lot a prayer garden which will add extra lights to the area.

Braggs is being held at Metro jail, he's charged with first degree robbery and third degree assault.