A 52-year-old Rogersville man has told Athens police that he took several church pews from an Athens church because he needed them for some of his friends to sit on.

Police arrested Michael Newton, of 2722 Highway 267, Rogersville, and charged him with second-degree theft of property after church leaders at Christ Way Church on 2030 U.S. 72 West complained that 12 pews were missing from church property.

“They had put the pews outside while they were doing some remodeling work inside the church and someone saw a man leaving with some of their pews,” said Athens Police Det.-Sgt. Trevor Harris. “Apparently the pews were stolen over a period of days.”

Harris said Newton was apprehended in Rogersville and had two of the pews in his mobile home. The others he gave to his mother, Harris said.

“We questioned him about it and he said he needed the pews for some of his friends to sit on. The best we can tell he kept a couple for himself and gave the rest to his mother,” Harris said.

Police have recovered six of the missing pews.

The investigation is continuing, Harris said.