Two charged for abandoned hospital break-in, copper theft

FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – Two people are facing felony charges after police say broke into the former Saint Catherine’s Medical Center in Fountain Springs, trying to swipe copper pipe.

Butler Township Police Patrolman John Kaczmarczyk filed charges Friday against Francis Kehler IV, 26, of 405 Walnut Street, Ashland; and Bianca McCabe, 23, of 265 Germanville Road.

The two are accused of felony burglary, criminal trespass, misdemeanor theft, theft of a secondary metal, among other charges.

According to the criminal complaints filed by Kaczmarczyk, he and Chief Chris Hand were conducting a check of the hospital complex at 101 Broad Street around 11:30am Friday when they saw a roll-up door near the former ambulance entrance propped open.

The officers entered the building and began checking the property.

Several doors were barricaded in the stairway closest to the open door, though the 5th floor door was open.

On that floor, officers heard noises that sounded like pipes being struck together and, as they approached the source of the noise, they heard a saw and two distinct voices.

The officers entered the wing where the noise was coming from and found a woman, later identified as McCabe, kneeling on the floor and she was near several pieces of copper pipe that appeared to have been recently cut.

A male, Kehler, was located nearby in the stairway.

Kehler claimed to have permission to be in the building and that he was only cutting up what had already been cut out. Numerous power tools were also located near the two along with several bags.

Both denied owning the bags, one of which contained several hypodermic needles and substances.

Police contacted the known caretaker of the property, who said Kehler was permitted on the property to do outdoor landscaping work but was not allowed inside the building or to remove or cut any pipes.

Both were arraigned Friday and committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post bail. Kehler’s bail was set at $25,000 and McCabe’s was set at $50,000.

Preliminary hearings are set for Sept. 25.

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