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Church Burglary Suspect Caught On Tape

GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- Pastor Dale Adams is dealing with a break-in at his church for the third time in less than two years.

Around 10:30 p.m. Friday, a man slipped in through a ground floor window of the LifeSpring Christian Church on Pennsylvania Avenue in Greensburg.

Once inside, the suspect ransacked the place, taking a small amount of money and some valuable electronics.

"We had a keyboard and two of our floor speakers, our monitors," Pastor Adams said.

He believes the suspect must have exited out of a second story fire escape, but he didn't get away unnoticed.

A surveillance camera near the exit captured video of the suspect. He appears to have a beard and a heavier build.

He got away with around $3,500 worth of stuff, but also caused a good bit of damage.

Those who work at the church are now on edge.

"That's what everyone has said that it just makes them feel violated," Adams said.

Back in July, the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street was also targeted by burglars. No arrest was made, but police say the circumstances are similar.

"We don't know if it's linked or not, but we're looking into that also," Greensburg Police Capt. George Seranko said.

For now, Pastor Adams is working with his insurance company to get the stolen items replaced.
He says this is all a sad sign of the times.

"Church used to be a safe place – you never used to hear of churches being robbed or broke into – but it's not that way anymore."

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