April 13, 2024 - Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report law enforcement agencies across the United States have been on the lookout for a serial burglar posing as a priest, “Father Martin.” The suspect reportedly gains access to churches by using fraud and deception to commit theft. He was last seen driving a black sedan.

On April 10, 2024, about 11:00 a.m., deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station located a vehicle in the 10000 block of Pigeon Pass Road, matching the description of the vehicle used during the burglaries. The driver of the vehicle, identified as 45-year-old Malin Rostas, a resident of New York, was taken into custody for an outstanding felony warrant out of Pennsylvania for burglary. Moreno Valley Investigators assumed the investigation and discovered Rostas was “Father Martin” and had just attempted to burglarize a local church.

Rostas was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center on the outstanding warrant. Additional charges will be filed for the attempted burglary in Moreno Valley. This case is ongoing, and no further details are available at this time.

The Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station believes there may be additional burglary victims. Anyone with information regarding this case or similar cases is encouraged to contact Investigator McCracken at the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 486-6700 or their local law enforcement agency.

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office