Gun theft, threats lead to probation after plea
A Butler man was sentenced to probation in Butler County Court Wednesday, after being charged with threatening to kill his girlfriend and stealing a gun.
Cody J. Beitch, 21, was sentenced to one year of probation by President Judge Thomas Doerr.
He also was ordered to pay court costs and $290 restitution, as well as complete the county litter pickup program.
Beitch pleaded guilty Jan. 10 to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and theft.
He initially was charged with felony theft and receiving stolen property after an incident on Dec. 31, 2016. The theft charge was later changed to a misdemeanor, to which he pleaded guilty.
In that case, state police said Beitch stole a .380-caliber handgun from his aunt's house on Davis Road in Oakland Township. He admitted to the theft and led officers to the woods behind his house where he hid it, police said.
He was then charged with misdemeanor terroristic threats and summary harassment after an incident June 26 in Oakland Township. The disorderly conduct charge to which he pleaded guilty was later added. The remaining charges will be dismissed as part of the plea.
In that case, state police said Beitch threatened to kill his girlfriend, their 3-month-old child and himself during a domestic dispute at their home on Davis Lane in Oakland Township.
Police said the woman called 911 after he pushed her to the ground at least twice, threatened to kill her and their infant son and began to “punch himself in the face and throw items around” in the house, according to court documents.
She then reported that Beitch said he would kill himself once police arrived.
He was arrested without incident and no injuries were reported.
His attorney, Assistant Public Defender Charles Nedz, said Beitch had no prior record before these cases.
When asked by Doerr why he had committed the crimes, Beitch responded “being dumb I guess” and claiming “I was scared, protecting myself pretty much.”
