Burglar begs for, and receives, forgiveness from minister

LYNN – A judge ordered a mental-health evaluation for a city man police say broke into a family’s home early Saturday, threatened to kill the residents, and then – after learning one of the victims was a minister – broke down and begged for forgiveness.”I don’t know how I got the strength, sir, but I put my hand on his shoulder and said ?I forgive you,’ and I asked, ?Can I pray for you?'” April Leone, a minister at Community Tabernacle of Deliverance on Western Avenue, said Tuesday afternoon.”He left with nothing,” Leone continued. “But five minutes later, the cuckoo came back in knocking on the door. At that point, I had no other choice but to call police.”Jose Reyes, 56, of 10 Fayette Court, was arrested and charged with armed assault in a dwelling, five counts; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon; witness intimidation; threat to commit a crime, five counts; receiving stolen property +$250; and armed burglary; at 6:33 a.m. Saturday.Reyes was arraigned in Lynn District Court Monday afternoon where a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.Police responded to a Fayette Street residence on a call of a man with a knife trying to get into the home, according to a report by Lynn Police Officer Sadrak Pierre.A guest staying at the home told police he awoke to use the bathroom and saw a stranger, later identified as Reyes, in the kitchen.”The defendant was calling him over by using a motion with his fingers,” Essex Assistant District Attorney Doug Sheehan said at the arraignment. “The defendant had a knife in one hand and a metal cooking pot in the other. The defendant was demanding money and jewelry.”The guest allegedly called for Leone, asleep in her room.”I see my friend and also see this guy behind him looking at me, and say, ?what the heck, who is he?'” Leone said.She said she came out of the room and Reyes hit her on the head with the pot.Reyes then started walking around the house, looking for things to steal, and demanding drugs and alcohol and waking up the three children in the home, according to Leone and police.She said Reyes threatened to kill them when she grabbed for the phone.”The suspect then stated to her that ?I will (expletive) kill you all if you call the police’ as he now held up the knife and made a slight stabbing motion with the blade of the knife facing towards the victims,'” police reported. “The intruder then stated to them that ?I will (expletive) kill you all, I have nothing to lose.’Leone said she started crying when Reyes walked into her room to take her stereo.”I said, sir, I am an ordained minister and teach dance to my congregation,” Leone recalled, explaining they used the dance in their ministry and the stereo for the music. ?He said, ?Oh Sugar-Honey-Iced-Tea,’ (I’m trying not to swear, I’m a minister) ?you’re a minister? You better not be lying to me.'”Leone said Reyes broke down when she showed him a certificate of her ordination.”He didn’t take the stereo, stepped outside the room, and slid down the wall to the floor and started to cry,” Leone recalled.Leone said Reyes begged for forgiveness, saying he was “in a house of God” and wondering if God would forgive him. Reyes told the alleged victims his wife had recently died, that she used to take care of him and he was lost without her.”I began to minister to him and tell him God wants to see you renewed,” Leone said.Reyes kissed four of the residents on the forehead, according to police and Leone, and then left.But five minutes later, Reyes returned and knocked on the door. Police arrested Reyes nearby, with items allegedly stolen in a previous incident, and Leone positively identified him as the intruder. She recognized Reyes as somebody with whom she had prayed and ate at My Brother’s Table, a local soup kitchen, according to police. The guest also positively identified Reyes.Court psychologist Dr. Ann Teele testified Reyes told her he was distraught over his wife’s recent death, which may have been an overdose from Reyes’ medica