David Boggs

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.”

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.

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 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.

Read the full story in Tuesday's Butler Eagle.