Arraignment postponed for alleged tutu-wearing bandit

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A man who allegedly tried to steal musical instruments and electronic equipment from an Allied Gardens church while wearing an unusual ensemble had his arraignment postponed today because he wants to hire an attorney.

Joshua Mahlon Baker, 39, is charged with burglary and grand theft.

The defendant — who is out of custody on $25,000 bail — was arrested shortly after the March 7 early-morning break-in at Palisades Presbyterian Church in the 6300 block of Birchwood Street.

An area resident called 911 after seeing a tall person dressed in what appeared to be an oversized T-shirt and a sparkly purple tutu loading a guitar amplifier into a truck outside the church shortly after 4 a.m., according to San Diego police.

Police said officers found Baker carrying a trash can filled with property stolen from the church while wearing a white piece of cloth draped over the upper part of his body and a scarf-like covering around his waist, with nothing underneath.

Seeing the officers, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Baker dropped the trash can and ran, police said.

Officers gave chase as Baker climbed over a chain link fence, losing the scarf-like covering in the process, according to police. Moments later, he was taken into custody.