Couple arrested in connection with alleged Germantown church break in [Updated]

Philadelphia Police have arrested two adults in connection to a church burglary that unfolded in Germantown on Monday night.

At around 8:15 p.m., two suspects allegedly broke into St. Francis of Assisi Church on the 4800 block of Greene St., according to police.

 

Officers took a 43-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman into custody after finding them inside the historic building.

Their names have not yet been released, but both have a history of drug-related charges, according to police. Nothing was taken.

In July, St. Francis merged with two nearby Catholic parishes.

It’s unclear if the building was closed at the time of the incident. An Archdiocesan spokesperson did not immediately return an email request to that end.

[Update 12:20 p.m.]

Police have identified Angel Vasque and Crystal Kane as the pair who allegedly broke into St. Francis on Monday.

A witness reportedly told a priest at the Catholic church that he saw “unknown persons” breaking into the building, according to police.

After surveying the property, the priest found that a metal grate had been pried open and that a window on the first floor was open.

Police responded and found Vasque and Kane in the church’s basement.

Kenneth Gavin, a spokesperson with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, said in an email that the two allegedly attempted to break into the upper church and rectory, but were unsuccessful. They were allegedly able to access the lower church after removing the grate, he said.

Vasque, who is homeless, and Kane, of North Philadelphia, are both charged with burglary, criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, possessing and instrument of crime and related offenses.