A Mesa man has been accused of breaking into a Tempe church and causing an estimated $10,000 worth of damage.
Erick Encinas, 23, was arrested Sept. 1 after police say he broke into Grace Community Church in Tempe and damaged the church’s televisions, sound equipment, walls, doors and a water line that flooded the kitchen, according to police documents. He also stole more than $2,000 worth of property, including a PlayStation console, according to police.
A Tempe police officer was able to track down Encinas’ truck after security footage showed it leaving the church. According to police documents, officers followed the truck through several traffic lights. Video showed the truck driving with its hazard lights on and appearing to have a flat tire.
Its damaged rim also appeared to leave a divot in the roadway.
That same night, Mesa police officers responded to a call about an aggravated assault roughly 30 minutes after Encinas was last seen at an intersection about two miles away, according to police documents.
A citizen reported seeing Encinas’ car stopped at an intersection with a flat tire and its hazard lights on. When the citizen approached the vehicle, they told officers Encinas had blood on his hands. Encinas said he had beaten a pastor with a wrench because the pastor had made his cousin uncomfortable, according to police documents.
Mesa police found the vehicle abandoned and later located Encinas at a gas station, where he was detained. A Tempe officer compared body-camera footage with surveillance video from the church and determined that Encinas matched the description and was wearing the same clothing. Encinas, however, told officers the blood on his hands came from slipping while riding a bicycle, according to police documents.
According to police documents, Encinas refused to speak with officers about the investigation.
Encinas is facing one count of burglary and one count of aggravated criminal damage. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 17.
Have a news tip? Contact The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com at newstips@arizonarepublic.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man accused of breaking into Tempe church, causing $10,000 in damages
