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November 16, 2013

I want to hear the sermon
Mark Dean Chaffins

Press Release: Commercial Burglary and Vehicle Theft
Agency: Palm Desert Police
Station Area: Palm Desert
Incident Date: November 16, 2013 Time: 7:50 am
Incident Location: St. Margaret's Church, 47535 Hwy 74, Palm Desert
Reporting Officer: Sergeant Dan Devinny

Details:

Palm Desert deputies responded to a reported trespasser at St. Margaret's Church. Mark Dean Chaffins, age 41 of Rancho Mirage, was contacted in the sanctuary near the pulpit. Chaffins claimed to be a church employee preparing his sermon. Chaffins was determined not to be an employee and was asked to leave. A few minutes after Chaffins left on foot, It was determined he left his vehicle at the church. Because Chaffins had been asked about a vehicle earlier and denied having one, deputies re-contacted Chaffins at the Palm Desert Community Church, just north of the location. Chaffins fled on foot. A short foot-pursuit led deputies across busy Hwy 74, and less than a hundred yards away Chaffins was physically taken into custody and was taken back to the vehicle at the church.

At about this time church employees discovered evidence of burglary in the area Chaffins had been originally contacted. Chaffins was arrested for burglary. The vehicle, which did not have any license plates, was determined to have been stolen out of Palm Springs. Chaffins was in possession of the stolen vehicle's key and personal property linked Chaffins to the vehicle. Chaffins was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries which occurred during his arrest. One deputy sustained minor injuries but did not require treatment. Chaffins will be booked on charges of burglary, vehicle theft, possession of methamphetamines, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen property, resisting/delaying a peace officer, and committing a felony while out on bail.

Filed under Coachella Valley,Public Safety | permalink | November 16, 2013 at 03:17 PM

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