Overview
- Father Jesus Gabriel Saldana, 72, of St. Kevin Catholic Parish faces charges of burglary of an occupied conveyance, battery on a person 65 or older, and criminal mischief.
- The Nov. 6 encounter at the Southwest Miami-Dade church began after donor Ana Maria Lamar attempted to take photos and was told that photography was not allowed, according to the arrest report.
- Authorities allege Saldana lunged at Lamar, reached into her vehicle without permission, and continued battering her as she sat in the driver’s seat.
- The arrest report states he ripped off the rearview mirror, damaged the vehicle’s gear selector, and dumped the contents of her purse while searching for her phone.
- Lamar later drove herself to a hospital and was admitted due to a history of cardiac issues, while Saldana surrendered on Nov. 22, was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, and was released on bond two days later.