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Alleged church burglars charged

Police: Trio targeted Huntingdon, Blair houses of worship

From Mirror staff reports

HUNTINGDON — Three people now face charges in last year’s rash of church burglaries in Blair and Huntingdon counties.

James A. Shaulis, 20, and Chace P. Gable, 19, both of Alexandria, along with a 17-year-old juvenile, have been charged in Huntingdon County for the break-ins, which mainly targeted churches, between October and December 2017. The two adults face more than 40 charges each, including 20 felonies.

According to state police, doors and windows were broken during the overnight break-ins during which the thieves were targeting cash.

The churches hit in the spree include:

Sinking Valley Presbyterian Church, Tyrone Township

Faith Assembly of God Church, Roaring Spring

Williamsburg Independent Baptist Church, Williamsburg

St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Martinsburg

Grace Point Community Church, Williamsburg

Hope United Methodist Church, Alexandria

Spruce Creek United Methodist Church, Spruce Creek.

Also hit in the string of burglaries was the restaurant at the Sinking Valley Country Club.

State police said that all three suspects have been charged with burglary, theft, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and receiving stolen property, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges were consolidated and will be prosecuted in Huntingdon County, state police added.

Shaulis and Gable remain in Huntingdon County Jail with cash bail for each set at $50,000. Both men already waived their preliminary hearings on the charges at the time of their arraignment on Oct. 31. Both also face charges in other cases in Huntingdon County.

State police said the juvenile is also being held at the jail on his charges.

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