Man accused of burglarizing local church, police looking to identify suspect

Police are looking to identify a man they say burglarized a local church.

The Rochester Borough Police Department said they received a report of a burglary at Grace Lutheran Church at 2:47 p.m. on Sunday.

Surveillance cameras from inside the church showed a man wearing a black tossle cap, sunglasses, a green winter jacket, blue jeans, black shoes and a black backpack entering the church and searching inside it.

Pastor Greggory Clagg said the man went through gifts that were collected to be given to The Salvation Army and Glade Run.

The pastor said the man also broke into the church office and took some of the offerings, including checks that were meant to be used for a community table soup dinner.

“We’re just looking to recover what we can and, hopefully, work with this individual to help, if we’re able to,” Clagg said.

Rochester Police said the suspect is average height with a thing build and appears to be clean shaven or have light facial hair.

The pastor said he the situation is a matter of safety for parishioners.

“We have a lot of activities and a lot of kids, school in the building, a lot of elderly and seniors coming and going. If it was just a half-hour difference somebody might be alone in the church and encounter this stranger, so it’s unnerving,” Clagg said.

In the meantime, the congregation is asked to stay alert and partner up.

The pastor said neighbors know the man and asks for him to come forward and do the right thing.

“I would like to appeal to this individual to just help us out and see if we can come to an arrangement that would be more long-term advantageous for him, instead of trying to prosecute him or cause more harm. We’d like to, really, get long-term assistance for him,” Clagg said.

Clagg said if the suspect contacts police the church will work to get him help.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect can contact the Rochester Borough Police Department by calling 724-775-0880.