CRANBERRY TWP — A township man is in prison after allegedly extorting more than $10,000 from his parents.

Christopher M. Doerfler, 32, faces charges of felony theft by extortion, felony receiving stolen property, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of drug paraphernalia and unauthorized use of motor vehicles.

His parents, John and Kathleen Doerfler on Thursday reported the alleged extortion to Cranberry Township Police Department, according to the criminal complaint.

During the past month he had allegedly told them that he was being threatened with physical harm by drug dealers to whom he owed money.

Doerfler allegedly left their house several days earlier with their Jeep Liberty and had not returned home since. During the week, his mother had received several notes placed on her car while she was at work. The notes threatened harm to Doerfler and his family if the debt was not paid and instructed her not to contact the police.

She told police that she had communicated with her son via text message and set up several meetings where she gave him money. The total amount handed over was between $10,000 and $15,000.

Thursday night she arranged another meeting at the Speedway gas station on Route 19 in Jackson Township where officers arrested him and allegedly found a syringe and a crack pipe on him.

He is Butler County Prison on $10,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in district court Jan. 20.