Police seek Lake Township man in connection with theft

Police are looking for a Lake Township man they believe stole more than $7,000 from the church where he served as a youth pastor.

<p class="MsoNormal">An arrest warrant for felony theft has been issued through Alliance Municipal Court for Christopher S. Berlean, 29, of 2103 Edison St. NW.

<p class="MsoNormal">Marlboro Police Chief Ron Devies said Berlean took $7,513 from the New Baltimore Community Church at 7761 Pontius St. NE.

<p class="MsoNormal">"It was allocated funds for specific youth events," Devies said. "That is the big sticking point here ... a betrayal of trust. He was discharged from the church."

<p class="MsoNormal">Church officials notified police of the missing funds and pointed to Berlean as the prime suspect.

<p class="MsoNormal">"We are just wanting to let the courts handle it at this point," said church pastor J. Kenneth Baker, who declined to comment further.

<p class="MsoNormal">Officials believe Berlean took the money over a period time between early May 2006 and late June of this year. He may be in the Columbus area now, Devies said.

<p class="MsoNormal">Members of the church hesitated to point a finger at Berlean, Devies said, "but reality came to pass that he absconded (with) some funds. We will extradite him from wherever he goes."

<p class="MsoNormal">Reach Repository writer Malcolm Hall at (330) 580-8305 or e-mail malcolm.hall@cantonrep.com

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