Livingston police arrest three in church burglary

Three people have been arrested in connection with a recent burglary at a Livingston church, the Police Department reported Monday.

April Coronado, 29, and Josh Silva, 31, were arrested by Livingston police Saturday on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy, vandalism and possession of stolen property. Philip Lapat, 44, was arrested on suspicion of stolen property possession and an outstanding warrant, Livingston police said in a news release.

“These people probably need religion,” police Chief Ruben Chavez said. “This is not the right way to get it.”

Police responded to a burglar alarm at Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus church on Hammatt Avenue on July 27 in Livingston, Sgt. John Ramirez said in the statement.

Church officials told police various items had been stolen, including a bass guitar and its case, a mini refrigerator, space heaters, a tile-cutting saw and a bag of toys. The items were valued at about $2,500 in total, Chavez said.

The church turned over footage from a security camera to police Wednesday, making it easy for police to identify the suspects, investigators said.

“The main suspects were known to officers,” Chavez said. “The detective knew right away who it was.”

All the stolen items were returned to the church, except the bag of toys, which officers never found, police said.

Chavez said the suspects live near the church. “It was a crime of opportunity,” he said.

This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 12:58 PM with the headline "Livingston police arrest three in church burglary."