An East Vandergrift man saw movement Thursday on his latest two criminal cases in Butler County.

District Judge Lewis Stoughton moved two cases for Ralph G. Myers, 41, to the Butler County Court of Common Pleas. Myers appeared in court virtually, represented by private attorney Brian Farrington.

Including the latest two cases, Myers has five pending criminal cases in the county.

Myers remained in Butler County Prison on a combined bond of $35,000 between two of his cases, and he has a $1 nominal bond in each of his other three cases.

On Thursday, Myers waived his right to a preliminary hearing for one case involving drug charges with the most serious offense being felony possession with intent to sell.

A preliminary hearing was held for the second case, which involved felony charges of theft and receiving stolen property, as well as misdemeanor counts of tampering with evidence and criminal mischief.

Myers is accused of stealing a farm truck in Washington Township valued at about $1,000 that had a $200 handgun inside it. State police Trooper Josh Sheppeck testified on his investigation and the charges.

According to Sheppeck, the truck was believed to have been gone three days and was found in Mt. Vernon Cemetery.

Sheppeck said when it was found, it had appeared to be repainted from white to silver, and one useable fingerprint that was lifted from the truck matched Myers. He said the orientation of the print indicated its relationship to the crime.

“It was an indentation into the paint on the truck,” Sheppeck said.

While other evidence was also submitted, during cross-examination, Farrington focused on the fingerprint and the timeframe for his closing argument to dismiss the case.

“Mr. Myers could have come across that truck at any point for any legitimate purpose during that time,” Farrington said.

Assistant District Attorney Amanda Scarpo argued that the fingerprint's presence within the paint, rather than on it, as well as Myers' brief statement to police denying being near Chicora at the time of the theft made that theory unlikely.

For both cases moved Thursday, Myers will appear for a formal hearing May 4 in county court.