Chula Vista
Chula Vista police have arrested five local boys ranging in age from 10 to 15 in a rash of church burglaries in the area and a fire at Grace Baptist Temple.
When firefighters responded to a call about 10 p.m. Wednesday at Grace Baptist Temple at 345 5th Ave., the church offices of the two-story building were already engulfed in flames. Damage to the building and its contents is estimated $200,000 to $300,000.
Shortly after the fire broke out, police arrested two boys at a nearby schoolyard, said Tro Peltekian, a detective in the Chula Vista juvenile division. Interviews with those two led to the arrest of three others that same night, he said.
The boys started the fire in an attempt to cover up the theft of some office equipment, but became frightened and ran off without the goods, Peltekian said.
Police believe the group may be responsible for eight church burglaries in Chula Vista over the past three months.
As of Friday, the four oldest boys remained in Juvenile Hall and were being held on suspicion of burglary and arson. The youngest was released to his parents.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
