Man arrested for stealing sacred goods from Santa Clara Church

OXNARD, Calif. - An employee at the Santa Clara Church in Oxnard noticed a suspicious person on Saturday who she believed may have stolen sacred goods from the church the week before.

The suspect was reportedly loitering on church grounds, potentially contemplating another theft.

Oxnard police responded to the church and confirmed the employee's suspicions. Police contacted 36-year-old Octavio Delgadillo and found multiple stolen items in his possession.

The monetary value of the stolen items qualified Delgadillo to be arrested for two separate felonies related to theft.

Fortunately, the church successfully recovered its stolen consecrated liturgical antiques and regalia which they consider to be priceless.

Officers arrested Delgadillo and said he had previously been arrested over 20 times in the city of Moorpark in 2019. He was then relocated to the Oxnard area. Police describe Delgadillo as a transient.