A Butler man accused of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl and choking a 37-year-old woman managed to break free Saturday from a city police officer while being taken to jail.

However, Glenn Schreffler's dash to freedom was short-lived as he was nabbed about four minutes later not far from the Butler County Prison.

Schreffler, 40, of 406 W. Wayne St. remains in the county prison in lieu of $115,000 bond.

He is charged in three cases with indecent assault, corruption of minors, aggravated assault, simple assault and escape.

City police earlier this year charged the defendant with assaulting the 4-year-old following a joint investigation with the Butler County Children and Youth Services.

The girl told authorities that Schreffler fondled her in July while she spent the night at a friend's home. Police said the defendant was acquainted with the girl's family.

Police last week obtained a warrant for Schreffler's arrest on charges of indecent assault and corruption of minors, following an investigation in the case.

While the defendant was wanted on the warrant, he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend at the woman's West Penn Street home.

The woman, whom police did not identify, reported that Schreffler had forced her to the ground, grabbed her by the throat and choked her. She suffered unknown injuries in the assault.

Minutes after the woman reported the assault, police found Schreffler walking on West New Castle and Broad streets and arrested him on aggravated assault and simple assault charges, as well as on the charges stemming from the warrant.

District Justice Kelley Streib arraigned the defendant on charges in both cases. Streib remanded Schreffler to prison in lieu of $15,000 bond.

But as Schreffler was at the front door of the prison, he managed to escape from a police officer and fled. The officer chased after and quickly caught Schreffler on West Vogeley Street, in back of the office of District Justice Pete Shaffer.

The defendant was again arraigned before Streib, this time for the escape charge.

Streib set an additional $100,000 bond against the defendant.

Schreffler has an extensive criminal history, according to Butler County court records.

He was convicted of rape and unlawful restraint in connection with a 1988 case. He was sentenced to 6 to 12 years in state prison in the case.

His most recent conviction was in 2003 for furnishing alcohol to minors. Schreffler was sentenced in that case to 1 to 2 years in state prison.