FALL RIVER — Police arrested a 36-year-old man Tuesday in connection with multiple church break-ins that netted thousands of dollars in stolen donations.
Joseph Costa was charged with three counts of breaking and entering a building in the daytime for a felony and two counts of larceny over $1,200.
Officers were dispatched to Holy Name Church on Hanover Street at approximately 7:45 p.m. July 8 for a reported break-in.
A church staff member observed a thin white male with dark hair wearing a red t-shirt exiting the building as the alarm was activated.
The suspect fled on foot toward President Avenue.
Responding officers found no signs of forced entry and nothing appeared to be missing from the church.
The incident followed two previous break-ins at Holy Name Church where $1,300 was reported stolen July 6 and $6,000 was stolen June 22.
Detectives used neighborhood security footage and eyewitness statements to identify Costa as the suspect.
Surveillance footage from July 6 showed Costa walking toward Holy Name Church empty-handed and later walking away carrying a plastic bag consistent with those used by the church to store donated funds.
Investigators also linked Costa to a March 28 incident at Saint Anthony of the Desert Church on North Eastern Avenue where church keys were stolen.
Footage showed a male matching Costa’s appearance and gait leaving that church after the theft.
A witness observed Costa taking $2 from a collection box at Saint Anthony but said he returned the money when he noticed he was being watched.
