A Sassamansville man and his girlfriend, who were arrested last week by state police for crimes in Upper Frederick Township, are now facing additional jail time after being charged with multiple crimes in New Hanover Township.

                New Hanover Township Police Officer-in-Charge William Moyer said Nathaniel Bauer, 21, of the 100 block of Hoffmansville Road, and his girlfriend, Kimberly Wolke, 18, who lived with him at the time of the crimes, were charged with burglary and related charges after breaking into St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 1809 Hoffmansville Road, Sassamansville in the early morning hours of June 19.

                Moyer said Bauer and Wolke, who lived within walking distance of the building, broke into the church by forcing open a locked door.  Once inside, they stole a gold communion cup, a gold cross necklace, several gift cards and an assortment of candy for the church’s upcoming vacation bible school picnic.

                Inside the church, police said the couple also took a bottle of red wine which they smashed on the floor.

                Police said church officials called authorities the next morning when they discovered the broken bottle of wine, but were initially unaware that the couple stole items from inside.

                Sometime the same morning, police said Bauer and Wolke also entered several cars parked in driveways in the 1800 block of Hoffmansville Road and stole a variety of items including car stereos, GPS units, iPods, electronic games, money and two hunting rifles.

                Three vehicles were entered in New Hanover and another seven were entered over the municipal boundary line in Douglass Township, Montgomery County.  They were all unlocked at the times of the crimes.

                Authorities said several of the stolen items came from a single vehicle which was packed for moving the following day.

                Police said the total estimated value of the items is approximately $7,000-$8,000.

                The couple was previously arrested for stealing a handgun, a computer, various electronics and jewelry after breaking into two homes in the 3400 and 3500 blocks of Salford Station Road in Upper Frederick the same weekend.  They were also charged with stealing stereo systems, GPS units and other items from numerous cars parked in the Perkiomen Crossing development off of Faust Road.    

                When interviewed by police, authorities said Bauer admitted to the latest series of crimes and implicated his girlfriend.  Moyer said a substantial amount of the stolen property was located in Bauer’s home.  Some items, including gift cards from the church, are still outstanding.

                Bauer and Wolke were charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft from a motor vehicle, theft, receiving stolen property and institutional vandalism by New Hanover Township Police.  Douglass Township Police filed charges of theft from vehicle.  Both subjects were arraigned on July 1. 

                Wolke waived her charges and will appear in Montgomery County Court on a date still undetermined.  Bauer had a preliminary hearing in Gilbertsville District Court Wednesday and all the charges were held for county court.  He was remanded to Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

                New Hanover and Doug-lass township police departments were assisted on the case by Pennsylvania State Police, Skippack barracks.

                Authorities said additional charges are pending.