HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (KRON) — A Half Moon Bay man has been arrested in connection with a theft from a local church’s donation box, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday.
On September 8, deputies responded to Our Lady of the Pillar Church at 400 Church Street after a report that a man was seen inside the chapel stealing money from a secured candle stand and fleeing the scene.
Authorities later identified the suspect as Shawn M. Decosta, 58, of Half Moon Bay. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage, witness statements, and conducted a photo lineup, during which a witness positively identified Decosta.
Deputies arrested Decosta on September 13 and found a tool believed to be used to force entry along with clothing matching surveillance images.
Officials did not reveal the amount of money stolen from the church.
This incident is part of a troubling string of crimes targeting places of worship in the Bay Area. Just days earlier, a Hindu temple in Dublin was burglarized with $34,000 in cash and jewelry stolen. On September 4, a sacred 3-foot bronze monstrance was stolen from a Concord church.
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate and has not ruled out connections between these incidents.
