A 23-year-old man was arrested after police say he broke into a Tempe church, caused about $10,000 in damage and stole electronics, including a PS5 belonging to the church’s youth group.
|
Tempe police say the break-in happened just before 2 a.m. on Aug. 21 at Grace Community Church near Rural Road and Southern Avenue. Surveillance video appears to show the suspect with a shirt wrapped around his head, forcing his way into the student center with a crowbar or tire iron.
Once inside, police say he damaged a computer, instruments, TVs, screens, sound equipment, walls and doors. Investigators say he also damaged a waterline, flooding the kitchen. The damage was estimated at about $10,000, while roughly $2,000 worth of electronics were stolen.
Among the stolen items was a PS5 used by the church’s youth group.
Investigators say security and traffic cameras helped track the suspect’s vehicle after it left the church. Police later identified him as 23-year-old Erick Encinas and arrested hi...
Suggested Credits
Tags, Events, and Projects