Judge orders that man remain in jail
A judge found that a Butler Township man is eligible to be released, but the judge decided to keep him in jail because of community safety concerns.
Jay E. Vinroe, 55, has been in Butler County Prison since July 4 awaiting trial on two cases related to fleeing from police, both felonies.
Last month, Vinroe's lawyer, Maura Palumbi, asked Judge William Shaffer to release Vinroe from jail under Rule 600, a state law that requires defendants to be released from jail after 180 days if their case hasn't concluded. The law is meant to assure a speedy trial, but in a recent order Shaffer decided to keep Vinroe in jail because he was concerned for the community's safety if he was released.
Vinroe is being held on a $50,000 bond. In Shaffer's order, he acknowledges that Rule 600 has expired for Vinroe, but he cites a Superior Court decision that found judges could still deny nominal bond releases if they can't find pretrial conditions that will ensure the safety of other people. In considering Vinroe's case, Shaffer cited the alleged crimes Vinroe committed and denied his motion to be released from jail on a nominal bond.In Vinroe's first case, police said he successfully eluded authorities on Oct. 5, 2019. Police said they were following a pickup truck on West Cunningham Street when the driver turned onto Mercer Street without signaling. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren, but the driver sped away.Patrolman Dakota Fennell pursued the truck out of the city and into the township's Lyndora section, police said. While on Whitestown Road, the suspect allegedly turned off his headlights and taillights in an apparent attempt to elude the officer.Fennell momentarily lost sight of the pickup as it traveled past the General Butler Vagabonds building headed toward the Sherwood Lanes parking lot.Moments later, police discovered the truck had crashed into the back side of the Sherwood Lanes building. Police noted the bowling alley was open, and there were customers inside. No one was injured. Vinroe allegedly fled the scene before being captured later that day smelling like alcohol. Shaffer cited this alleged event as his reason for denying the motion.Vinroe was charged with a felony fleeing from police and multiple misdemeanor charges, including driving under the influence, driving without lights to avoid apprehension and accident involving damage.While out on pretrial supervision, authorities said he cut his monitor bracelet, leading to his second case.Police said that while assisting a bail bondsman with a warrant service on Vinroe around 5:50 p.m. July 3, they attempted to stop him on a motorcycle on Route 173 in Slippery Rock Township.But he eluded the traffic stop, police said, and drove away at a “high rate of speed” before traveling through a nearby field. He fled on foot into the woods.But around 9:45 p.m., police arrested Vinroe after he allegedly attempted to flee a second time. Shaffer also cited this case in his order.Authorities charged him with a felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude police and a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest. He also is charged with six traffic violations.
