According to Mahanoy City Police, Patrolman Thomas Rentschler received a dispatch of a reported burglary around 1:30am, Monday in the 800 block of East Mahanoy Ave.
Patrolman Rentschler found the living room of a residence where two woman and two children were sleeping when they were woke up to the home being ransacked.
One of the women identified one of the burglars as Ranshaw Gass, of Tamaqua, and the other as a white male and stated they fled the scene in a mini van. Police issued a "BOLO" for the suspects van.
One of the females reported to have known Gass when they "hung out" Sunday afternoon, but had asked him to leave because he wanted to pursue a relationship and move in.
When asked what items had been taken, one of the females reported a white Samsung Cell Phone was missing.
Tamaqua Police later conducted a traffic stop on a SUV that was driven by John Heemaneth, of Tamaqua, and a passenger identified as Rashawn Gass on West Broad Street, in Tamaqua. Police detained both until Mahanoy City Police could arrive. During detaining Police found a white Samsung cell phone between Gass's legs.
When Mahanoy City Police arrived at the scene of the traffic stop, they spoke with Heemaneth, who stated he gave Gass a ride to Mahanoy City to pick up some things. Gass stated he went to Mahanoy City to pick up a blue bag that was left on a back porch for him. Both consented to a search of the vehicle and the bag.
During the search, Police found the white Samsung Cell Phone where it was confirmed to be the one stolen since the victim gave the passcode to police. Identification of one of the victims was also found inside the blue bag.
At that time, both were placed under arrest and taken into custody. A search of Gass found him to be in possession of another form of identification of one of the victims including her insurance card. He was also found to be in possession of marijuana.
Gass and Heemaneth were both charged with Burglary, Criminal Trespass, Receiving Stolen Property, and Identity Theft. Gass faces additional charges of possession of a controlled substances and drug paraphernalia. Both have been committed to Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bail.