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Surveillance footage leads to arrest of Irwin church burglary suspect

IRWIN, Pa. — A man accused of trying to rob a church in Irwin a few weeks ago was arrested Monday morning on separate charges.

Officials said Jeremy Minnick was quickly identified Friday after surveillance video of the alleged attempted robbery was released.

North Huntingdon police said Minnick was arrested Monday morning on drug possession charges. Pennsylvania State Police also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest on forgery and theft charges. Police in Irwin also plan on charging Minnick with attempted theft and criminal mischief.

Police said Minnick walked into Immaculate Conception Church on April 20 to case the building.

The next day, police said Minnick used a pry bar from the church's vestibule and attempted to open an offering box.

"He takes a pry bar from one of the back rooms of the church, returns to where the money box is and attempts to pry it open," said Irwin Police Chief Joe Pocsatko.

The church was broken into last year, so they decided to install security cameras. They put the cameras in on a Thursday, and the alleged thief showed up that Friday.