On 02/10/14, Chula Vista Patrol responded to a report of a ransack burglary at the Hilltop Tabernacle Church at 346 L St. in Chula Vista. The church building had been forcibly entered and cash and a laptop computer were taken. There was also a RV located on the property which was burglarized. Numerous items were taken from the RV, including several purses and watches. The loss was estimated at about $10,000.
The suspect or suspects left behind a cell phone. The Officer contacted Property Crimes Detectives who was able to obtain a "selfie" picture on the cell phone of the suspect (attached to the press release). The Detective recognized where the photo was taken and went to that location. Witnesses in the area recognized the suspect and indicated other areas to check. The next day, on 02/11/14, Detectives located an individual who matched the photograph at Harborside Park in Chula Vista. That person was identified as Adam Howe (DOB 5/6/87). A search of Howe's belongings revealed stolen property from both the church and the RV.
Realizing that some property was still outstanding, Detectives searched the river bottom area, adjacent to 900 Third Ave behind the church (also where Howe was known to frequent). They located two additional subjects in that area identified as Victoria Corey (DOB 12/01/94) and Mario Nava (06/30/86) sitting in a tent. A consent search of the tent revealed additional stolen property from the church. Both were arrested for possession of stolen property.
Anyone with information on other suspects or outstanding stolen property related to this incident, please contact Chula Vista Police at (619) 691-5151 and asked for Property Crimes.
