Police continue to investigate violent home invasion
CLAY TWP — One of two suspected robbers who state police believe brutally beat an elderly man during a home invasion last month in Clay Township will never face charges.
That’s because he died Dec. 28.
Authorities suspect Michael E. Karch, 38, of Butler committed suicide almost four weeks after the Dec. 2 robbery and theft of 11 handguns from the house on Euclid Road.
He was never arrested or charged in the crime that left the homeowner, 74-year-old Robert Patterson, hospitalized with severe injuries.
The manhunt, meanwhile, goes on for the other robber, who has not been identified, according to investigators.
Two other defendants — Brandon S. Wissinger, 28, of Winfield Township and Janet N. Greiner, 29, of Parker Township — are headed for trial for their alleged roles in the home invasion.
Greiner was ordered held for court Tuesday at her preliminary hearing in Chicora. Wissinger earlier that day waived his own hearing.
Police said Greiner drove the two robbers to Patterson’s house while Wissinger accompanied her there.
The pair was arrested Jan. 8 on felony charges of receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit the crimes of burglary, robbery, theft and aggravated assault.
They also are charged with conspiracy to commit simple assault. Wissinger and Greiner remain in the Butler County Prison on $250,000 bail and $100,000 bail, respectively.
Trooper Jessica Titler testified Tuesday that on Jan. 4 an informant showed up at the barracks and identified Greiner, Karch and a 34-year-old man, who police did not identify, as being involved in the crime.
Greiner the next day voluntarily came in for an interview. She waived her Miranda warnings and spoke to police.
She said about 4:30 a.m. Dec. 2 she got a call from Karch, who asked for a ride, according to Titler’s testimony. Greiner had Wissinger with her when she picked him up in a relative’s pickup truck.
A full story will appear in Wednesday's Butler Eagle.
