COAL TOWNSHIP - Paul Eby expressed disbelief when volunteer workers called Tuesday to tell him that thousands of dollars worth of tools had been stolen from a church-owned double home under remodel.
But they weren't kidding.
"I was angry and I was upset," said Eby, pastor of Restoration Ministries Church, Shamokin.
Rather than allow those feelings to linger, however, Eby went to 1674-1676 W. Spruce St. and, after police left, he gathered the workers together and "we prayed for the people who did this."
Forgiveness aside, the theft is a setback for the church, which has invested some $70,000 in the project since purchasing the property in July for $5,000. The tools, top-of-the-line models intended for use on future remodeling projects, were not insured.
The church bought the property with the goal of using the renovation work to teach construction skills to young members of the church, including those who don't have parents or guardians to teach them such skills. Turning a dilapidated property into a nice home is another benefit, he said.
The double home is being converted into a single home with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large living space. It's been completely gutted and refitted with new wiring, plumbing, windows and wooden studs top to bottom. New cement is being poured to the front and rear of the property, the backyard was leveled and a decorative two-tier retaining wall was added.
The church, which has its eye on a few other houses, intends to eventually re-sell 1676 W. Spruce St., and would be satisfied just to break even, Eby said.
Basement entry
Sometime overnight Monday, the basement door was kicked repeatedly with enough force to eventually break a 2-by-4 that secured it. Among the stolen items were an air compressor, two framing guns, three nail guns, two circular saws, a reciprocal saw, three cordless drills, hand tools, levels, drill bits and tool bags.
Eby believes whoever broke in may have parked on Gowen Street at the top of the backyard and loaded up the stolen goods.
Some workers on scene Wednesday brought their own tools. Eby said they were working outdoors because so many tools that had been used for the interior portion of the project were stolen.
"They cleaned us out good," Eby said.
Drug connection
There have been seven burglaries reported to Coal Township Police in November, according to Police Chief William Carpenter. That does not account for any reports of attempted break-ins or criminal trespass incidents where a break-in may have occurred but nothing was reported stolen.
Patrolman Christopher Lapotsky is investigating.
Eby believes those who committed the crime probably did so to fund a drug addiction. Carpenter agrees, saying there's a direct correlation between illegal drug use and incidents of burglary and criminal trespass.
Eby knows the drug problem is prevalent in the community.
"These are desperate people that are doing this," he said.
He thinks they need hope, and he's willing to offer some.
"God gives us second, third, fourth, fifth chances," he said. "Whatever it takes."