DARLINGTON, Pa. (AP) — Police have charged two men in connection with six copper kettles stolen from a 210-year-old church in Darlington.
Officials said Christopher Mulroy, 30, is charged with stealing the kettles from the First United Presbyterian Church of Darlington sometime overnight June 7 and 8. His friend, Daniel Wickline, 22, is charged with receiving stolen property because police said he drove Mulroy to a scrap metal dealer with the kettles.
The theft attracted media attention because the antique kettles have been used for decades to churn apple butter each October at the church about 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.
The suspects are from New Galilee, police said.
Church officials feared the thefts might harm their tradition, but said others have donated replacement kettles. Instead, the church is considering starting a prison outreach in response.
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