Police: Woman steals purse at church, attempts thefts during funeral viewing
By PHILIP A. HOLMES pholmes@sungazette.comA South Williamsport woman faces charges for allegedly stealing a woman’s purse from a Loyalsock Township church as well as attempting to take items from coat pockets inside a funeral home while a viewing was taking place there, according to state police.
Dana Marie Waite, 24, of 1539 Riverside Drive is accused of taking a purse owned by Fawn Carr from a hallway inside the First Southern Baptist Church, 89 Kimble Road, between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, Trooper Jennifer Jackson said.
Carr, who is a church employee, told police her purse contained about $40 plus several gift certificates from local businesses.
Waite also is accused of illegally entering the second-floor apartment of Scott and Leah Kaufman, located above the couple’s business, Kaufman’s Funeral Home, 2102 Northway Road, between 7:30 and 8 p.m. on March 3, Jackson said.
She entered the Kaufman residence through two unlocked doors, Jackson said.
When Leah Kaufman confronted her, Waite told her that she “was looking for funeral home information,” Jackson said in an affidavit.
Waite was told to go downstairs and talk with Scott Kaufman, who “gave her some documents and walked her to the door because a viewing was going on” at the time, Jackson said.
Moments later, Scott Kaufman caught the woman rummaging through coats hanging in the breezeway of the funeral home, Jackson said.
Waite told the funeral director she accidentally “set off a car alarm when she bumped up against a coat,” Jackson said.
The woman quickly walked out the door and set off the alarm to her own vehicle, Jackson added.
Jailed in the Lycoming County Prison since March 17 on a probation violation, Waite was arraigned Monday before District Judge Kenneth T. Schriner Jr. on charges of theft, receiving stolen property, felony trespassing and attempted theft.
She was recommitted in default of $20,000 bail.
