Suspect turns himself in after alleged assault
BUTLER TWP — A Lyndora man — possibly armed with a rock-in-a-sock — is accused of breaking into a home Sunday and beating his ex-wife's boyfriend.
The 40-year-old alleged victim, Jonathan Stariat, suffered facial injuries in the attack about 8 a.m. at the home in the 200 block of North Duffy Street.
Stariat told investigators he was sleeping at his girlfriend's house when he heard a “thump, thump” from outside the bedroom, according to court documents. Moments later, he recounted, he was hit in the side of a head with a heavy object.
He believed the object was a rock in a sock that the suspect swung by the end. During the altercation, the attacker also allegedly bit Stariat's upper back. Stariat ran out the door and dashed for the neighbor's house.
The suspect, 42-year-old Thomas S. Smith, turned himself in to township police this afternoon. Among the charges he is facing are burglary and aggravated assault.
A complete report will appear in Tuesday's Butler Eagle.