Officers arrest woman for vandalism spree; Church left with upwards of $15,000 in damages



Officers have arrested a 23-year-old woman who went on a vandalism spree, leaving upwards of $15,000 in damages at a Watsonville church. 

Jackeline Chavira hit multiple businesses on Wednesday before making her way to St.Patrick’s Church on Main Street where she caused the most extensive damage. 

Surveillance footage shows as she walks into the church at 12:15 p.m., heads to the altar and looks around before pushing over a 15 ft. crucifix statue. Chavira then runs next door to a prayer room and throws a religious statue on the ground before tearing down two large pieces of religious artwork, while two parishioners were in the room praying.


Her next stop was a small business that sells religious items on the 400 block of Main Street. At about 12:22 p.m. Chavira goes into the store and attempts to steal a religious statue. She argues with an employee before throwing the statue on the ground, causing it to break. She then leaves the store. 

As officers were investigating the cases, a victim spotted Chavira near West Beach and Rodriguez Street where she was eventually arrested.


Here’s a timeline of the events: 11:40 AM: Chavira enters a store on the 1400 block of Main Street and steals roses 

12:00 PM: Chavira enters a store on the 1200 block on Main Street where she steals a religious statue and then purposefully drops it, causing it to break 

12:03 PM: Chavira enters a bakery on the 1200 block of Main Street and steals a soda 

12:15 PM: Chavira enters a church on the 700 block of Main Street and causes thousands of dollars in damages 

12:22 PM: Chavira enters a store on the 400 block of Main Street, attempts to steal a religious statue and then throws it on the ground, causing it to break 

2:11 PM: Officers arrest Chavira on West Beach Street 

Chavira was booked into county jail for vandalizing a place of worship, defacing property, burglary and disobeying a court order. Her bail was set at $25, 000.