Andrew Walagura

SAXONBURG — A Butler man is headed for trial on charges he broke into his parents' home in Penn Township and stole a handgun that he later traded for heroin.

Andrew J. Walagura, 35, of Butler on Wednesday waived his preliminary hearing before District Judge Sue Haggerty. He is charged with burglary, trespass, theft and receiving stolen property, all felonies.

Following the court proceedings, he was returned to the Butler County Prison where he's being held on $15,000 bail.

Police allege Walagura on June 15 forced in the back door, breaking the frame, of his parents' house on the 100 block of Renfrew Road.

Once inside, according to court documents, he took a pistol that was in the front bedroom.

Patrolman Alyssa Mathews said she learned that the defendant sold the gun for 40 bags of heroin.

Walagura is no stranger to Penn Township police. Mathews in June charged him in two unrelated cases, which are also pending in Butler County Court.

In one case, he was allegedly caught with drugs during a June 17 traffic stop on Route 8 near Diehl Automotive.

Police searched him and found 25 stamp bags of heroin, according to court documents. A search of the van turned up 20 stamp bags and four empty bags of suspected heroin, three syringes, a spoon and a crack pipe.

He is charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license.

Police also charged Walagura with threatening his mother during a June 15 altercation at her home.

He is charged in that case with terroristic threats and harassment.