Once a chassid stood contemplating the minyan (prayer quorum) his rebbe had assembled to pray on behalf of a sick man.
The chassid was upset. The quorum included ruffians, burglars and other people of ill repute. The chassidic master felt his disciple's discomfort, and explained to him:
"We need these people in our minyan. When you need to open the gates of Heaven, you had better get help from experts....!"
These were experts in the field of burglaries or break ins. Therefore, the Rebbe told him that perhaps they will also be able to break in to the gates of Heaven. I also believe that the Rebbi in the story was none other than Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev. Can anyone confirm that?
Sure, I heard that as well, but the story also has been attributed to other Rebbes, which is not surprising with orally transmitted stories