SHAMOKIN - Police are continuing their search for two area men charged with stealing six guns from a home at 115 S. First St. Saturday afternoon.
Warrants have been issued for the arrests of Ronald A. Wills, 24, of 67 Springside St., Locust Gap, and Joseph Scherr, 22, of 339 E. Seventh St., Mount Carmel, who were both charged Monday by Patrolman Jarrod Scandle with felonies of burglary and theft by unlawful taking.
Police reported Wills and Scherr are accused of entering the residence of James Cress Jr. and his girlfriend, Christine Wills, who is Ronald A. Wills' sister, and stealing five rifles and one pistol before fleeing the scene when spotted inside the residence by Cress' father, James Cress Sr. Police said the burglary occurred shortly after 3 p.m.
James Cress Sr. told police he was at his son's home to let his dog out when he heard male voices inside the residence while he was in the back yard with the dog. Cress said he went inside to investigate and saw Wills and Scherr.
Cress said he initially confronted Wills before chasing Scherr out of the house. Cress told police Scherr ran north on First Street and then east on Spruce Street. He said Wills also fled from the home on foot, following the same route as Scherr.
Police said Cress contacted Christine Wills about the burglary, and she arrived at the home a short time later.
Christine Wills told police neither her brother nor Scherr had permission to be inside her residence.
A neighbor told police she observed a white male exit 115 S. First St. and run north on First Street while holding several guns "very tightly" on his side. She said some of the guns were rifles.
The stolen guns have been identified as a .35 Remington rifle, .223 Savage rifle, .22 Hornet Savage rifle, 30-30 Marlin rifle, Thompson Contender with a 30-30 barrel and .44 Magnum barrel, and .22 Ruger pistol.
Scandle said the suspects may have fled the area in a black Nissan Maxima bearing Pennsylvania registration HPH6572. He said a BOLO (Be On The Lookout) report was placed for the suspects and vehicle.