Sheldon Hile

A man is accused of attempting to snatch a fanny pack from a woman outside a Butler Township discount motel.

But the alleged victim would not let go, despite the would-be thief's efforts to take the pack from her last week at the Almost Home Motel on New Castle Road, according to township police.

The defendant, Sheldon L. Hile, 23, of Allison Park, Allegheny County, is suspected of hitting the Butler woman in the head and chest, and throwing her into a brick wall before leaving — empty handed.

The 34-year-old victim suffered several injuries, including a concussion, two black eyes and a bruised forehead in the incident.

District Judge Kevin O'Donnell arraigned Hile Monday on felony charges of robbery and aggravated assault, misdemeanor charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment and attempted theft, and a summary charge of harassment.

Hile has been in the Butler County Prison since June 17 stemming from an unrelated alleged assault at the Comfort Inn off Route 8 south.

In that incident around 2 a.m. April 10, he is accused of punching a man, and breaking the victim's jaw.

Police said the woman in the most recent case told them that she was walking to her boyfriend's car at the Almost Home Motel around 11:25 p.m. June 16 when she was accosted by a man, who grabbed the fanny pack that was on her right shoulder.

The man punched her and flung her head first into the wall during the failed bid to take the pack, according to charging documents. The pack contained $40, assorted cards and prescription medication.

The suspect got into a vehicle, which drove away.

The woman's boyfriend, who was nearby, heard the man's voice at one point and heard the victim scream. He saw her fall to the ground, police said, but he apparently did not see the alleged assault. He saw the suspected getaway vehicle leave.

Investigators eventually identified Hile as the suspect. The victim, who was treated at Butler Memorial Hospital for her injuries, later picked out Hile's picture from a photo array, police said.

By then, police were already looking for him in the suspected assault April 10. The victim in that incident identified Hile as the man who punched him in the parking lot at the Comfort Inn.

Police arrested him June 17 in that incident. He is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment. He is in the county prison on a combined $60,000 bond in the two township cases. His preliminary hearings are at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

In still another unrelated case, Hile is accused of assaulting a woman March 31 at a Greenview Gardens apartment in Butler. The victim told Butler police that the defendant slapped her several times in the face, according to court documents.

The woman suffered swollen lips, which were also cut, police said. Hile is charged with simple assault. His preliminary hearing is Aug. 3.