Suspect behind bars again
Less than 16 hours after posting bail and being released from the Butler County Prison, a suspected pizza shop burglar was back behind bars Sunday on different charges.
Ralph G. Myers, 40, of East Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, was booked back into the prison about 8:40 a.m. He was picked up on an arrest warrant stemming from an incident Wednesday night at Chicora Community Park.
Police said in that case they were looking for the defendant in an investigation. He later allegedly drove his car through the grass and around a trooper's cruiser.
When Myers tried to go around an unmarked police car, he is accused of crashing into a pole. He got out of the vehicle and ran, police said, but he was caught. He allegedly resisted police efforts to place him in handcuffs.
In plain view in his car, according to court documents, was a loaded syringe that contained suspected methamphetamine. Police said they also found a vial of medication in the vehicle.
Damage to the park was estimated at $2,000. He was eventually released following the incident.
District Judge Sue Haggerty on Sunday arraigned Myers on misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, fleeing or attempt to elude police, and a summary charge of driving with a suspended license.
He was placed in the prison on $30,000 bond.
Police initially arrested Myers on Wednesday in connection with the Aug. 17 break-in of a building housing Fox's Pizza on North Main Street in Chicora.
Security video obtained during the investigation was used to help identify the defendant, police said.
Investigators believe Myers was the man who used an unlocked door to enter the building, which also houses apartments. He went into the restaurant, police said, and stole $185 in currency.
Additionally, police said, he took a laptop computer in the alleged crime.
Myers was eventually booked into the prison at 12:45 a.m. Thursday. Haggerty later arraigned him on felony charges of burglary and trespass, and a misdemeanor charge of theft. He was placed in the prison on $30,000 bond.
He posted bail in that case and was released at 4:48 p.m. Saturday.
Online court records did not indicate if he has an attorney.
