A man testified Thursday in district court that he helped his uncle burglarize a garage in 2019, stealing goods valued at $50,000.

Leroy D. Bowser Jr., 53, of Tionesta, was charged in July 2019 with burglarizing a garage with his nephew and one other man.

The nephew, Matthew Bowser, 31, faces identical charges for the crime.

On Thursday, Matthew Bowser explained “how it went down” during Leroy Bowser's preliminary hearing, explaining that they targeted the northern Butler County business garage because they had bought drugs there and knew it contained valuable items. After the hearing, District Judge Wayne Seibel held all charges against Leroy Bowser for Common Pleas Court.

Among the estimated $50,000 in items stolen from the garage, police said, was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a Yamaha all-terrain vehicle, a Stihl concrete saw and other tools, aluminum vehicle rims and two CB radios. Justin W. Ealy, 34, of Butler was charged in the case, and Matthew Bowser said Thursday that he was part of the crew that broke into the garage.

Matthew Bowser testified that they drove to the garage at night in a dump truck and broke in by cutting a padlock at the entrance. Matthew Bowser said he had a drug problem at the time and needed money for drugs.

“Everybody grabbed items,” Matthew Bowser said.

After loading the stolen goods in the truck, the group drove to Ealy's house in Emlenton, according to Matthew Bowser's testimony. The group split the goods up in different locations.

Matthew Bowser said that he and his uncle spent the night at the house getting high. After charges were filed against them in the case, Matthew Bowser said he turned himself in.

Police said they first became aware of who the defendants were when Ealy texted a picture of a saw that was stolen, valued at more than $1,000, to another man, who already knew about the break-in.

The man showed the picture to Daniel Dellich, the business owner, who recognized the saw as his. Authorities, in turn, were notified.

Police subsequently set up a sting to catch Ealy, according to charging documents, using the man to whom he had tried to sell the stolen saw.

At a pre-arranged meeting in Franklin Township, Ealy showed up with the saw, believing the man was going to buy it.

Troopers, however, were waiting for him. Ealy also is accused of bringing his 12-year-old son with him that night.

Ealy faces felony charges of burglary and trespass and misdemeanor charges of receiving stolen property and child endangerment.

Leroy Bowser and Matthew Bowser are both charged with burglary, trespass and theft, all felonies.