Two plead not guilty to church burglary
Thursday, April 24—
Two men accused of stealing cash, checks and sacramental wine from a St. Mary’s In-the-Valley Episcopal Church pleaded not guilty today to burglary charges.
During interviews with detectives, Szumski and Tye allegedly admitted breaking into the church at San Vicente Road and 12th Street April 14 and ransacking it.
Among the losses were safes, cash, checks and sacramental wine, Turner said.
The suspects also allegedly confessed to a residential burglary in San Marcos.
Stolen property was found when officers searched the vehicle the two were in when they were stopped, according to Turner.
Szumski and Tye are charged with two counts each of burglary at the church and one of residential burglary in connection with the San Marcos burglary.
El Cajon Superior Court Judge Evan Kirvin set bail at $200,000 for Szumski, who faces 35 years to life in prison if convicted. Tye, who faces seven years and four months behind bars, was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
A readiness conference was scheduled for May 2 at the El Cajon Courthouse.
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