Disgraced Pastor Allegedly Breaks Into Former Parishioner's Home to Steal Prescription Drugs

Christian pastors aren't immune from error, addiction or personal challenges. That said, like anyone else, they, too, must be held accountable for unpalatable and illegal actions. Take the allegations against Rickey Allen Reed, 56, a former pastor in Smyrna, Tenn., with a purported prescription drug addiction. His bizarre story, while tragic, is making headlines after he allegedly broke into a former parishioner's home.

Rickey Allen Reed attempting to enter Jean Harris' home in 2011 (Photo Credit: Tennessean)

Jewel Proper, 70, reportedly found Reed in her kitchen, attempting to steal pain medication. Before the incident, Proper, who had been trying to help the former pastor kick his habit, said that she noticed medication was missing from their kitchen.

So, the couple installed an alarm to figure out who was taking Proper's pain pills and her husband's prostate cancer medication, reports the Tennessean.

And four days later, on Aug. 8, the elderly woman claims she caught the pastor red-handed, standing right inside her home. While he begged for her to let him go, Proper was angry that he stole her medications and wasn't prepared to drop the scenario.

"I opened the back door and there he stood in the kitchen," she said. "I grabbed him by his shirt and I said, ‘I got you now, you ain’t goin’ nowhere.'"

While she has forgiven the fallen pastor, Proper wants him held accountable. It is a particularly sad situation, seeing as Reed was formerly her husband's pastor.

The defunct preacher was subsequently arrested and remains in jail on $32,500 bond. He is charged with felony aggravated burglary and misdemeanor theft under $500. To make matters worse, this isn't the first time that he has allegedly broken into a former parishioner's home.

In 2011, he pleaded guilty to burglarizing Jean Harris' home and avoided jail by pledging to combat his addiction. This incident was caught on video while he was still the pastor of First Free Methodist Church in Smyrna.

Watch the clip, below:

At the time, authorities apparently heard other allegations that Reed was breaking into homes to steal pain medication. As a result, he was given four years probation, but in light of the most recent allegations -- and the notion that he may have violated this probation -- there's no telling what might happen.

(H/T: Newser)

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