BUTLER CO., Pa. (EYT) — A Rimersburg man who was involved in a violent home invasion in Butler County is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
According to court documents, on June 21, 2018, in the Butler County Court of Commons Pleas, 35-year-old Patrick C. Bookwalter, of Rimersburg, pleaded guilty to the following charges:
– Burglary — Overnight Accommodations; Person Present, Bodily Injury Crime, Felony 1
– Conspiracy — Burglary — Overnight Accommodations; Person Present, Bodily Injury Crime, Felony 1
He is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:45 a.m. on July 25 in front of Butler County President Judge Thomas Doerr.
According to court documents, as a result of the plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed:
– Possession Of Firearm Prohibited, Felony 1
– Robbery-Threat Immediate Serious Injury, Felony 1
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 2 (two counts)
– Criminal Attempt – Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 2
– Criminal Trespass-Enter Structure, Felony 3
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
– Loitering And Prowling At Night Time, Misdemeanor 3
– Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary (two counts)
Bookwalter remains lodged in the Butler County Jail on $50,000.00 cash bail.
According to a published story in butlereagle.com, a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison, restitution, and fines is expected.
Two others who are charged in the case – Michael L. Bure, 36, of Worthington, and Joseph R. Painter, 34, of Kittanning – are facing burglary, robbery, theft, and related charges.
Bure petitioned for a reduction in bail and was released on $1.00 nominal bail in December.
Painter posted bail in June.
Details of the case
According to a previously-published story on exploreclarion.com, Butler-based State Police identified Patrick Bookwalter as the person who broke into a home on the 300 block of Petrolia Road in Fairview Township and assaulted Savannah M. Blust and Macklin C. Haye.
Blust and Haye called 9-1-1 at 12:50 a.m. on Thursday, June 8, 2017, to report that a masked intruder armed with a handgun and pepper spray had broken in and attacked them.
Haye said the attacker, Bookwalter, pepper sprayed him. Blust was awakened by the disturbance, came downstairs, got a butcher knife from the kitchen, and stabbed Bookwalter. Bookwalter then grabbed her and dragged her by the hair.
Blust escaped Bookwalter’s clutches. Later on, Bookwalter pointed a gun at Blust and Haye. He then fled the house, and Blust saw him and two other people running away.
After the 9-1-1 call by Blust and Haye, Bookwalter also called 9-1-1, reporting he had been stabbed near a bar in East Brady.
Bookwalter was taken to a hospital in Pittsburgh for several stab wounds to his head and back.
Blust and Haye were charged with various drug offenses following the incident after police discovered evidence of drug manufacturing in the house during the course of their investigation of the home invasion.
They each pleaded guilty to one felony count of manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver.
Blust was sentenced to six to 12 months confinement and three years of probation by Judge Timothy F. McCune on October 26, 2017.
Haye was sentenced to nine to 18 months confinement and three years of probation by President Judge Thomas J. Doerr on March 8, 2018.
