BUTLER CO., Pa. (EYT) — A Rimersburg man who was involved in a violent home invasion in Butler County was sentenced to five to ten years behind bars this week.
According to court documents, on Wednesday, July 25, President Judge Timothy F. McCune sentenced 35-year-old Patrick C. Bookwalter, of Rimersburg, to a minimum of five years to a maximum of ten years confinement with credit for 401 days served.
Bookwalter is also required to pay the cost of prosecution as well as restitution totaling $784.50.
According to court documents, Bookwalter pleaded guilty to the following charges on June 21, in the Butler County Court of Commons Pleas:
– Burglary — Overnight Accommodations; Person Present, Bodily Injury Crime, Felony 1
– Conspiracy — Burglary — Overnight Accommodations; Person Present, Bodily Injury Crime, Felony 1
Court documents indicate the following charges were dismissed as a result of the plea agreement:
– 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 is currently lodged in the Clarion County Jail.
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.
