Mourners report items stolen from vehicles parked at Canonsburg church for funeral
Mourners attending a funeral Mass at a Canonsburg church Monday told borough police they had items stolen from their unlocked vehicles.
The vehicles were entered while people were attending a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Patrick Church, 317 W. Pike St. One of the mourners got into his vehicle after the service and noticed a backpack containing an iPhone, laptop computer and two GoPro cameras was stolen from his vehicle.
The Erie man was able to use another device to track the location of his iPhone to the area of Hutchinson and Iron streets. He and police went to the area, but were unable to locate his stolen items.
A funeral director told police she saw a woman picking up items in front of the church. When she asked the woman what she was doing, the other woman indicated she was picking up items she had dropped. The funeral director said the woman, who was carrying a backpack and grocery bags from the nearby Shop ‘N Save, then walked away, turning right onto Hutchinson. The woman was thin, white and had bleached blond hair with dark roots pulled into a ponytail. She wore a tank top.
Police then received calls from others who had been at the funeral. One woman told police a bag containing a 9mm handgun and two clips was stolen from her vehicle.
Another woman reported her husband’s wallet was stolen. It contained no money and he canceled the credit cards that were in it. Another reported two pairs of Smith sunglasses, valued at $250 each, were stolen. Another reported a cellphone and Garmin global positioning system stolen from her car.
Police Chief Al Coghill said officers are checking to see if any surveillance cameras in the area can be used to identify the woman. They are also checking with Shop ‘N Save for surveillance video or customer information.
Anyone who may have seen the suspect or have information is asked to call police at 724-745-8020, extension 523.