A Sharpsville woman is accused of helping an Ellwood City man flee police following the March 28 assault and burglary of a Washington Township man in his home, according to state police in Mercer.

Trisha M. McGinty, 45, helped Dylan Hinchberger, 31, hide the vehicle he used to escape and obtain new transportation to help him flee apprehension after the assault, and then lied to police about her involvement, according to charges filed Monday, April 28.

McGinty was charged with two felony counts of hindering apprehension and one misdemeanor count of obstructing law enforcement related to the March incident in Springfield Township, Mercer County.

Police said McGinty became involved after Hinchberger assaulted and burglarized Cody Roxberry at his Washington Township trailer. Police said they tracked Hinchberger’s phone to a Quality Inn Hotel in Springfield Township after he fled the crime scene in a blue Dodge Caravan.

According to police, employees at the hotel said a person matching Hinchberger’s description entered the hotel with McGinty and two other individuals, but his vehicle was not seen in the parking lot.

Police said they spoke with McGinty and the other two individuals, who denied having any knowledge of Hinchberger. As the three were being interviewed in the hotel lobby, staff reported seeing Hinchberger jump from a second-story window in a stairwell and attempt to flee before he was taken into custody.

According to police, McGinty said in an interview she spent the previous night at a friend’s house and woke up to a phone call from Hinchberger. She told police Hinchberger did not inform her of the situation but later showed up at the friend’s house. McGinty told police another friend who lives at the hotel came to pick up her and Hinchberger, taking them to the hotel.

Police said Hinchberger hid the vehicle in the garage on the property before leaving for the hotel.

According to police, McGinty said Hinchberger became nervous when the group heard helicopters around the hotel and went outside. Police said McGinty admitted to lying when questioned about her contact with Hinchberger and his whereabouts, but she could not explain why she lied.

McGinty’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. June 6 before District Judge Daniel Davis.

Hinchberger’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 6 before District Judge Lewis Stoughton. He is being held in Butler County Prison on a $500,000 bond.