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3 arrest warrants issued in connection with Ross Twp. pastor's home burglary

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Authorities in Ross Township have issued arrest warrants for a man and woman accused of burglarizing a pastor's house on Christmas Eve while he was conducting service.

According to police, Michael Guthrie returned home from Christmas Eve Mass Monday night and realized thieves had broken into his home and stolen various electronics.

"There's the footprint where they kicked the door in. They pried, and pried, and pried," Guthrie said.

Guthrie said the burglars also stole several items that belonged to his son, who died in a plane crash two years ago.

“Those things are just things, but in a way they connect us back to him. You touch them and think about him and the amazing person he was,” Guthrie said.

After discovering the break-in, Guthrie said he went to where his niece, 28-year-old Jessica Hirth, and her boyfriend, 26-year-old Jeremiah Kelly, stay up the street. He told police he saw them run out of the house with his belongings.

"I was yelling, 'Jessica, Jessica stop. It's your Uncle Mike,’" Guthrie said. “I said, ‘I love you. Don’t run.’ But she continued to run and she’s still running.”

Guthrie said he’s also concerned because one of the items stolen that belonged to his son was a gun he used for target practice.

“We’re concerned about the gun they took because that gun could be used in a crime somewhere. Now they’re armed and dangerous,” Guthrie said.

Ross Township police said Kelly and Hirth are wanted on charges of burglary, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy.

In addition, police said Teresa Lenz, 53, is charged with two counts of hindering apprehension and one count of obstructing administration of law.

Police said Lenz, Kelly’s mother, attempted to conceal Kelly and Hirth at her residence when police arrived following the burglary.

Anyone with information on Kelly and Hirth’s whereabouts is asked to contact police.