STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 A 26-year-old man is accused of burglarizing the rectory of St. Roch\u2019s R.C. Church in Port Richmond between Sunday morning Masses. <\/p>\n
Josiah Vann of Brabant Street, who was previously convicted of a violent robbery in his home community of Mariners Harbor, also stands accused of stealing cars near St. Roch\u2019s, which merged with St. Adalbert\u2019s R.C. Church in 2015.<\/p>\n
The brazen break-in occurred at the rectory of the church at 602 Port Richmond Ave. on Dec. 28 at about 11:15 a.m., according to the criminal complaint.<\/p>\n
The defendant approached the church from a rear parking lot and tried unsuccessfully to enter through some doors, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. <\/p>\n
Authorities allege that Vann, wearing black pants and a gray hoodie, was captured on video surveillance entering through an unlocked window at the front of the rectory.<\/p>\n
A priest in the rectory spotted the defendant holding a towel inside the bedroom, according to the source. <\/p>\n
Vann told the priest that he was there to see a different priest, but the defendant then immediately left through an exterior door with the towel, the source said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s me,\u201d the complaint alleges the defendant told police. \u201cI went in through the window. I took a towel. I was being stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vann was arrested on Jan. 3 and charged with burglary, petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal trespass and trespass.<\/p>\n
The parish declined to comment.<\/p>\n
Alleged car thefts<\/p>\n
On Jan. 3 at about 1:30 p.m., Vann was captured on video surveillance stealing a white 2013 Toyota Camry in the vicinity of Dixon and Villa avenues, the complaint alleges.<\/p>\n
The victim told police that he exited the Camry to retrieve his wallet from a home. He left his vehicle unlocked with the engine running, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.<\/p>\n
Vann was recorded on video entering the Camry before driving away with the vehicle, police said. <\/p>\n
About an hour later, officers allege they caught Vann in the driver\u2019s seat of the Camry, which was parked in the vicinity of Maple Parkway and Forest Avenue. <\/p>\n
According to the source, the defendant told police, \u201cI saw the car running and said, \u2018I guess this is mine now.\u2019 I got in and drove off.\u201d <\/p>\n
On New Year\u2019s Eve at about 5:50 p.m., Vann is accused of stealing a 2006 Nissan Altima, again from the vicinity of Dixon and Villa avenues. <\/p>\n
The keys were in the ignition and the engine was running to warm up the Nissan. The victim went inside a home and realized his car was gone when he stepped back outside, according to source with knowledge of the investigation. <\/p>\n
The defendant was captured on video surveillance footage entering the car and driving away, according to police.<\/p>\n
Officers allege they spotted Vann driving the car about four hours later at the northeast corner of Continental Place and Grandview Avenue. Further investigation revealed that he did not have a valid driver\u2019s license, police said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw the keys in the car and I got into the car,\u201d the criminal complaint quotes the defendant as saying to police.<\/p>\n
Vann allegedly gave a false name and birth date when asked to identify himself at the 121st Precinct stationhouse in Graniteville later that night.<\/p>\n
In connection with the alleged car thefts, the defendant faces charges that include grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, unauthorized use of a vehicle, petit larceny, false personation and a motor vehicle license violation.<\/p>\n
Vann has pleaded not guilty to all charges. <\/p>\n
The defendant is being held at Rikers Island in lieu of bail set at $150,001 bond or $50,001 cash for multiple cases. He is due back in Criminal Court in St. George on Friday, according to public records.<\/p>\n
An attorney for the defendant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n
Robbery in Mariners Harbor<\/p>\n
The defendant once served time in connection with a robbery in Mariners Harbor.<\/p>\n