Clyde Bridges has been charged with attempting to steal the offering at Hyannis Portuguese Foursquare Church in Hyannis, Maine, on Mother’s Day.

Claiming he had a gun, which turned out to be a cigarette lighter, churchgoers tackled Bridges and held him down until police showed up to arrest the man. Bridges, who pleaded not guilty to the armed robbery charge, had been released from prison in 2006 where he was serving a sentence for armed assault on a dwelling and rape. Pastor Mario Vieira told ABC 6 that he forgives Bridges.

Read the full story in the Cape Code Times.