Two state troopers were shopping Thursday for a rug in the decor section of the Target in Butler Commons when one of them noticed that they were being followed by a man they had stopped in late June for traffic violations.

Robert D. Philpot, 58, of Butler is in Butler County Prison on a $25,000 bond after being arraigned by District Judge Kevin O'Donnell for misdemeanor charges of stalking and retaliation against a victim or witness along with summary charges of disorderly conduct and two counts of harassment.

Philpot's encounter with state police began on June 30. Around 2:30 a.m. Troopers William Nadolsky and Bertha Cazy pulled Philpot over in his white Cadillac SUV for a traffic stop on Route 8 near Renfrew Road, according to a police report. Philpot became “distraught and very agitated,” the troopers observed.

They released him with just a warning but soon after the troopers found Philpot driving behind them with his high beams on. Once again, they pulled him over. This time they cited him for a traffic violation.

This is a preview of an article that will appear in the Butler Eagle next week. Subscribe online or in print to read more about the case.