A man has been charged after two incidents at churches in Maryland, including pouring whiskey in holy water and throwing tangerines at parishioners, police said.

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office said in the first incident, suspect Thomas Von Goetz, 56, entered d Holy Angels Catholic Church after 5 p.m. on December 24, approached the altar and dropped an onion.

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A person followed Von Goetz out of the church and police said Von Goetz threw tangerines at the person.

Later that night at Midnight Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown, police said Von Goetz disrupted the service by pouring whiskey into the holy water and threatening the parishioners.

As he was being escorted out, police said Von Goetz attempted to hit people with a whiskey bottle.

Von Goetz was arrested and transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation. Police said he was charged with second degree assault, disorderly conduct, defacing religious property, religions crime against a group, obstructing a religious exercise, threat of mass violence and disturbing the peace.

He had too much holiday spirit.

A fiend went on a sacrilegious rampage at two Maryland churches on Christmas Eve, pouring whiskey in the holy water at one place of worship before he was detained by fed-up parishioners, authorities said.   

Thomas Campbell Bolling Von Goetz ensured he was placed on the naughty list – and in a jail cell –  this holiday season after he disrupted two Catholic Masses within a few hours, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office said.

Von Goetz, 56, allegedly began his Grinch-like antics around 5 p.m. when he entered Holy Angels Catholic Church in the community of Avenue during Mass and dropped an onion in the aisle as he walked up to the altar.

As an attendee followed him outside, Von Goetz started pelting the person with tangerines before fleeing, authorities alleged.

Then hours later at midnight Mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Leonardtown, he allegedly dumped whisky into the holy water and threatened parishioners, the sheriff’s office said.

Churchgoers battled to boot Von Goetz outside as he tried to hit several people with his bottle of liquor, according to the law enforcement agency.

Ultimately, parishioners detained the suspect until deputies arrived.

He was taken to MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for medical evaluation, and then on Thursday he was officially arrested.

Von Goetz, who flashed a devilish grin in his mug shot, was charged with second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, defacing religious property, religious crime against a group, obstructing a religious exercise, threat of mass violence and disturbing the peace.

MARYLAND — The business landscape was marked with a slew of new restaurants opening in Maryland in 2024, and food critics naming their favorite spots to top dining lists.

Other business news that resonated with readers included a beloved restaurant closing after eight decades, a popular pet-care chain shuttered with no notice and potluck food poisoning dozens of co-workers.

Plus, shopping malls in the state continue to evolse, with two of them changing ownership, while a Dave & Buster’s and a new steakhouse opened to help draw new customers.