Man arrested for allegedly stealing Half Moon Bay church donations

(KRON) — A man who allegedly stole money from a Half Moon Bay church’s donation box was arrested days later following an investigation, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday.

Sheriff’s deputies responded on Sept. 8 to the report of a theft from Our Lady of the Pillar Church, located at 400 Church Street. A witness told authorities that a man was seen inside the chapel “removing money from a secured candle stand” and fleeing from the church, the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities did not disclose how much money was stolen from the church.

The suspect was identified by authorities as Shawn M. Decosta, 58, of Half Moon Bay, after investigators reviewed witness statements, evidence and surveillance video. The witness was able to positively identify Decosta in a photo lineup.

Decosta was taken into custody on Sept. 13, and deputies located a tool used to force entry along with clothing that was seen in the surveillance video, according to the sheriff’s office.

The alleged theft is among a rash of recent incidents targeting places of worship in the Bay Area. A Hindu temple in Dublin was burglarized on Sept. 7, according to Dublin Police Services, where around $34,000 in cash and jewelry were stolen. On Sept. 4, a 3-foot-tall sacred bronze monstrance was stolen from a church in Concord.