Avondale Man Ransacked Homes In Chesco, Stole Valuables: D.A.

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A jury in a weekend-long trial convicted an Avondale man of breaking into homes and ransacking them, stealing valuables, including family keepsakes.

The Chester County jury found Christopher Hersh, 36, guilty of multiple counts of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy after a weeklong trial that ended late Friday, according to the Chester County District Attorney's Office.

Hersh, along with two others, broke into multiple homes in southern Chester County, ransacking them, and stealing valuables worth thousands of dollars, according to the district attorney's report. The other two co-conspirators have already been convicted.

"These defendants terrorized many families by breaking into their homes, stealing their valuables and taking important keepsakes," said Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan.

Ryan pointed out that the thefts after homes were ransacked represented items whose value was not merely monetary.

"(The victims') sense of security and safety was destroyed because of their unlawful and callous actions," Ryan said. "We thank all of the law enforcement officers who worked together to help us secure justice in this case including the Pennsylvania State Police, Kennett Township Police Department and the West Caln Township Police Department."

Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Stefano Gallina, Kennett Township Det. Amanda Wenrich, and West Caln Township Sgt. Tony Sparano jointly assisted with the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by assistant district attorneys Zack Yurick and Jessica Acito.