BUTLER CO., Pa. (EYT) — An Emlenton man is wanted while two other men are in custody in connection with a burglary that occurred in northern Butler County.
(Pictured: Matthew Bowser and Justin Ealy)
Court documents indicate the Butler-based State Police filed criminal charges against 29-year-old Matthew John Bowser, of Parker, 51-year-old Leroy Donald Jr Bowser, of Emlenton, and 32-year-old Justin William Ealy, of Butler.
According to a criminal complaint, between July 19 and July 20, a business garage located on Station Road, in Mercer Township, Butler County, was burglarized, and several items, including a Harley Davidson Motorcycle, a blue Yamaha 80cc quad, multiple aluminum rims, an Esab welder, a snap-on scanner, assorted tools, and two CB radios were stolen. Also taken during the burglary was a Stihl TS420 saw valued at over a thousand dollars.
The total of all items stolen is valued at approximately $42,550.00.
According to the complaint, on July 21, Justin Ealy texted a photo of the Stihl saw to a known man, asking if he would be interested in purchasing it for $300.00. The known man, knowing of the recent burglary, texted the owner of the business that was burglarized and asked if it was his saw. The owner was able to identify it based on the photo and then contacted State Police in Butler.
A meeting between the owner and Ealy was then arranged on July 21. During the meeting, Ealy was found in possession of the stolen saw.
Ealy was interviewed at the Butler-based State Police barracks on July 22.
According to the complaint, Ealy related that he, Matthew Bowser, and Leroy Bowser burglarized the Mercer Township property. He reported they traveled to the residence using a dual wheel truck with a trailer he borrowed from the known man, then Leroy Bowser cut a padlock to gain entrance to the building, at which time they took the items.
Ealy was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge William S. O’Donnell at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, July 22, on the following charges:
– Burglary — Not Adapted for Overnight Accommodation, No Person Present, Felony 2
– Criminal Trespass-Break Into Structure, Felony 2
Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Butler County Jail.
Ealy is also facing two first degree misdemeanor charges, Receiving Stolen Property and Endangering Welfare Of Children, from a July 22 incident.
Bail was set at $25,000.00 monetary for this case.
Matthew Bowser was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge William S. O’Donnell at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24, on the following charges:
– Burglary — Not Adapted for Overnight Accommodation, No Person Present, Felony 2
– Criminal Trespass-Break Into Structure, Felony 2
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 2
Unable to post $5,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Butler County Jail.
The following charges were also filed against Leroy Bowser through Magisterial District Judge William S. O’Donnell’s office on Monday, July 22:
– Burglary — Not Adapted for Overnight Accommodation, No Person Present, Felony 2
– Criminal Trespass-Break Into Structure, Felony 2
– Theft By Unlawful Taking-Movable Property, Felony 2
He is currently wanted on an active arrest warrant.
Justin Ealy and Matthew Bowser are scheduled to stand for preliminary hearings at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7, with Judge O’Donnell presiding.
