West Chester Couple Arrested for DNA Theft in Bizarre Home Invasion: Report

WEST CHESTER, PA -- A West Chester couple has been arrested after allegedly breaking into a home and stealing DNA samples via cheek swabs from the mouths of children inside, according to a report.

The Daily Local News reports that Christopher and Michelle Martin, both 43, broke into the home on the 700 block of North New Street on December 5. They climbed in the basement window, locked the door so no one could interrupt them, and took the cheek swabs without the adults knowing, the report states.

The Martins were previously cited after repeatedly texting and emailing one of the adults in the home, 42-year-old Andrew Shoffner, the report states, although authorities did not say why they were trying to contact him.

The children were aged 7 and 5.

It is also not clear what they intended to do with the DNA sample.

Both Martins were charged with false imprisonment of a minor, a second degree felony, and related counts, court documents show.

Patch file photo