CLAY TWP — A Fayette County man is behind bars for attempted homicide in connection with a home invasion last year that left an elderly man hospitalized with serious injuries.

State police on Friday arrested David C. Boggs, 28, of Uniontown on a list of felony charges. He is in Butler County Prison on $75,000 bail.

Investigators believe Boggs was one of two robbers who brutally beat 74-year-old Robert Patterson after breaking into the victim's house Dec. 2 on Euclid Road in Clay Township and stealing a dozen guns.

Police only recently identified Boggs.

The other alleged robber, Michael E. Karch, 38, of Butler, committed suicide almost four weeks after the crime and was never charged.

But two other defendants — Brandon S. Wissinger, 28, of Winfield Township and Janet N. Greiner, 29, of Parker Township — were arrested in January for allegedly driving Boggs and Karch to the home.

Wissinger and Greiner knew Karch but they apparently did not know Boggs, police said. They eventually picked him out of a photo array.

“Through investigative resources (Boggs) was identified,” Cpl. Tim Morando said Monday, “and he was subsequently put in a photo lineup and positively identified.”

Boggs was arrested leaving a half-way house in Uniontown, Morando said. He was arrested without incident. He made no statement to police and asked to speak to an attorney.

In addition to attempted homicide he is charged with burglary, robbery, theft, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit the crimes of burglary, robbery, theft and aggravated assault, and receiving stolen property, all felonies.

He also is charged with simple assault and conspiracy to commit simple assault, both misdemeanors.

A relative discovered Patterson about 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the victim's home, police said.

He had been tied up with an extension cord for 12 hours and suffered a broken nose, two dislocated shoulders, a fractured ankle and several cuts on his head that required stitches.

Patterson, who is still recovering from his injuries, told investigators that he answered a knock at the door about 6 a.m. Two men appeared and forced their way inside. He did not recognize them.

Both were armed — one with a handgun and the other with a knife. The men beat him and ransacked the house, taking the guns that were in a safe.

During their investigation, police said they identified Greiner and Wissinger as being involved in the crime.

At a Jan. 23 preliminary hearing for the two accomplices, Trooper Jessica Titler testified that Greiner at an interview said she got a call from Karch that night asking for a ride.

She said Wissinger was with her when she picked up Karch, who was with an unknown man, who later was identified as Boggs.

Karch told Greiner to drive to a residence off Route 8, according to testimony. She parked on the side of the road and Karch and Boggs allegedly got out. They were gone a short time.

Karch eventually called Greiner to come pick them up. He had blood on him when she saw him again. She recounted the two men had a backpack full of guns.

“(Boggs) said they had to basically use force to remove guns from the residence,” Titler testified, referring to Greiner's account.

Greiner drove the men to a home in Butler where they showered and changed clothes. She eventually took them to a house in the Sarver area. They allegedly gave Wissinger two guns.

According to Greiner, she drove Wissinger to New Kensington, Westmoreland County, where he allegedly traded the guns for drugs.

She and Wissinger are awaiting trial on felony charges of receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit the crimes of burglary, robbery, theft and aggravated assault.

Greiner is in the county jail on $100,000. Wissinger is jailed on $250,000 bail.