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Suspect Arrested in Monastery Break-in/Vandalism

Leon County Sheriff's Department

Leon County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a suspect in this morning’s (3/19) break-in and destruction at a Buddhist monastery north of Tallahassee.  He was identified as 28-year old Ahmad Hinson.

Deputies were called to the Vien Guac Buddhist Monastery on North Monroe near Crowder Road around six-thirty Monday morning. When they arrived, they say Hinson was standing by a van backed up to the monastery garden where more than two dozen marble statutes and other stone ornaments had been damaged. That damage was estimated at nearly $50,000. Hinson reportedly told the officers he had been sent to "handle all the false idols" that were at the monastery. He’s been charged with burglary, motor vehicle theft, and criminal mischief to a monastery.

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Tom Flanigan has been with WFSU News since 2006, focusing on covering local personalities, issues, and organizations. He began his broadcast career more than 30 years before that and covered news for several radio stations in Florida, Texas, and his home state of Maryland.

Find complete bio, contact info, and more stories. here.