State police have arrested two Monessen residents in the theft of a man’s credit cards while he was preaching at a Smithton church.
Police on Tuesday filed charges including theft and access device fraud against Jarell Carpenter, 35, and Erica Bloom, 40, according to online court documents.
The theft was reported to authorities on March 10, when a man found credit cards were missing from his wallet after he returned from preaching at Hope Memorial Lutheran Church on Second Street in Smithton, police said.
According to police, the cards were used at two businesses in Smithton, including Jack’s Supermarket.
“It was kind of a wake-up call for us,” the church’s pastor, Becky Dittenhafer, told TribLive. She said the credit cards belonged to a lay worship leader at the church.
The suspects were awaiting appearances before District Judge John E. Christner.
Additional details weren’t available Thursday evening.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
