Crime & Safety
Bay Area Church Donation Burglary Suspect Identified: Police
A witness identified a 58-year-old man in a police lineup in connection with last week's burglary, police said.
HALF MOON BAY, CA — Police arrested a 58-year-old Half Moon Bay resident Saturday in connection with a theft at a local church that took place five days prior.
San Mateo County Sheriff's deputies said they arrested Shawn M. Decosta on Saturday for burglary.
On Sept. 8, police said they received a report of a theft from the donation box at Our Lado of the Pillar Church.
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Police said witnesses told them they saw a man inside the chapel removing money from a secured candle stand, who then fled the scene.
Deputies said they collected witness statements and surveillance footage that they then used to identify Decosta through law enforcement databases.
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A witness then identified Decosta in a police lineup, police said.
During the arrest, police said they found clothing that matched what witnesses said the suspect was wearing at the time of the burglary.
Decosta was booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility.
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