Fall River man held on bail concerning multiple break-ins, thefts, at city churches

An arrest by Fall River Police has led to multiple charges.

According to police, on Tuesday, at approximately 7:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to Holy Name Church on Hanover Street for a reported break-in. A church staff member observed a thin white male with dark hair, wearing a red t-shirt, exiting the building as the alarm was activated. The suspect fled the area on foot in the direction of President Avenue.

Responding officers conducted a thorough inspection of the church. There were no signs of forced entry; all doors and windows were secure, and nothing appeared to be missing. The interior was also cleared, with no unauthorized individuals located inside.

This incident follows two previous break-ins at Holy Name Church:

• July 6th – $1,300 in donated funds reported stolen

• June 22nd – $6,000 in donated funds reported stolen

These cases were already under investigation by detectives assigned to the Major Case Division. Through detailed analysis of neighborhood security footage and eyewitness statements, detectives identified the suspect as 36-year-old Joseph Costa.

Surveillance footage from July 6th captured Costa walking toward Holy Name Church empty-handed. Moments after the reported theft, he was seen walking away from the area carrying a plastic bag consistent with those used by the church to store donated funds.

Additionally, investigators linked Costa to a separate incident on March 28th at Saint Anthony of the Desert Church on North Eastern Avenue. Footage showed a male matching Costa’s appearance and gait leaving the church after a set of church keys had been stolen. A witness in the church observed Costa taking $2 from a collection box. When Costa turned and noticed the witness watching him, he put his head down and handed the witness the $2 before leaving.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, Joseph Costa was arrested on July 8th and charged with the following offenses:

• Breaking and Entering a Building in the Daytime for a Felony (three counts)

• Larceny Over $1,200 (two counts)

According to court records, Costa pled not guilty at Wednesday’s arraignment and did not post his $7,500 cash ($75,000 surety bond) bail.

FRPD released the following statement:

“This investigation highlights the strength of a coordinated response. Patrol officers provided swift documentation, preserved key evidence, and identified potential witnesses. Our Crime Scene Unit ensured detailed collection and photographic evidence, while detectives conducted extensive canvassing, reviewed hours of surveillance footage, and secured vital witness cooperation.

“Equally important is the role of the community. The assistance and vigilance of residents are essential to solving crimes and enhancing neighborhood safety. We thank everyone who contributed to this investigation and extend our gratitude to the officers, detectives, and the community for their unwavering dedication and support.”

Costa’s next scheduled court appearance is a pretrial hearing on August 7th.