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Bethel man is facing charges after incident at Schuylkill church

A man from Bethel, Pa., is facing 13 charges relating to a burglary that was broken up by police on Saturday night in South Manheim Township.

State police at the Schuyulkill Haven barracks said Cory Arthur Lutz, 37, is facing numerous charges, including burglary and aggravated assault on law enforcement officers.Police said they were summoned at 11:30 that night to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1185 Summer Hill Road in the township and upon arrival learned Department of Wildlife officers David P. Fidler and Jeffery Rinaldo had observed a suspicious vehicle pull into the church parking lot. Upon investigating, the officers witnessed a vehicle back up to a storage shed that had been pried open. Police said Lutz exited the shed and entered the vehicle, at which time the wildlife officers identified themselves and gave the man commands to stop.Police said Lutz accelerated his vehicle in an attempt to flee and in doing so drove at Officer Fidler. The officer was able to avoid being struck, police said.Police said Lutz traveled down an embankment into the woods and made several attempts to flee. State police arrived and gave the man verbal comands to exit the vehicle, but police said Lutz continued to make several attempts to accelerate the vehicle while periodically drinking a can of Coor's Light beer. Police said they subsequently were able to remove the man from the vehicle.In addition to the burglary and aggravated assault charges, Lutz is facing charges of criminal trespass, driving under the influence of alcohol, criminal mischief, institutional vandalism, resisting arrest, fleeing or attempting to elude police while DUI, criminal attempt to commit theft, driving while his license is suspended for DUI purposes, traspass by motor vehicle, restraint systems and careless driving.Police were assisted at the scene by state police from the Hamburg barracks and personnel from the Auburn MS and Fire units.