Thomas Smith

BUTLER TWP — A Lyndora man — possibly armed with a rock-in-a-sock — is accused of breaking into a home Sunday morning and beating his ex-wife’s boyfriend.

The 40-year-old alleged victim suffered facial injuries in the attack about 8 a.m. at the home in the 200 block of North Duffy Street. He fled to a neighbor’s house where he called 911.

Police later got a felony arrest warrant for the suspect, Thomas S. Smith, 42. He is charged with burglary, aggravated assault, trespass, terroristic threats, simple assault, criminal mischief and harassment.

Jonathan Stariat told investigators that he was sleeping at his girlfriend’s house when he heard a “thump, thump” from outside the bedroom, according to court documents. He awakened and sat up in bed.

Moments later, he recounted he was hit in the side of the head with a heavy object. He believed the object was a rock in a sock that the suspect swung by the end

Stariat saw Smith, his girlfriend’s ex-husband, standing by his bed. The two men began fighting, which caused a shelf to fall over, police said. The victim’s girlfriend had earlier left for work.

During the altercation, Smith allegedly bit the victim’s upper back. Stariat ran out the door leading to the garage and dashed for the neighbor’s house.

The neighbor told police that she heard pounding on the back door. She looked out and saw Stariat standing on the porch. He cried out, “Tommy just beat me.”

Soon after, the neighbor recalled, Smith appeared on her porch and screamed at Stariat, “I’m going to kill you,” according to a police affidavit.

The suspect left when the woman ordered him off her property.

Police said Stariat suffered bleeding and swelling to his right cheekbone, a large welt to the left side of his head, a bruised left eye and a swollen lip.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton later Sunday issued an arrest warrant for Smith.

The defendant learned of the arrest warrant and contacted authorities about 11 a.m. Monday, said Butler Township police Lt. Matthew Pearson.

Smith turned himself in and was arraigned by District Judge Kevin O’Donnell. He was committed to the Butler County Prison on $2,500 bail.