Police make arrest in church thefts

By Haley Rose

BELLEVILLE – A woman who Belleville police believe is half of a couple involved in a series of church thefts has been arrested.

Shauna Smith, 24, was found and arrested by Belleville police late Tuesday afternoon on Pine Street.

She was to appear in court Wednesday for a bail hearing.

Late last month, police said they were seeking a man and woman who had been visiting churches in the Belleville area saying they were in need of food and other help. They then took electronics and other items and pawned them for cash, police said.

On Tuesday afternoon, police issues an update identifying the suspects as Smith and 25-year-old Donovan Huycke. A few hours later, Smith was arrested.

The couple faces charging including theft under $5,000, fraud under $5,000, breach of probation and possession of property obtained by crime.

Police are still seeking Huycke. Anyone with information is asked to call Belleville Police or Quinte Crime Stoppers.