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2 arrested in connection with robbery

FINDLEY TWP, Mercer County — Two men tied to the robbery of a township business Tuesday have been arrested, but police are still searching for two other men believed to be involved.

Nathan Haynes, 36, of Youngstown, Ohio, and Robert D. Butch, 29, of Mercer each face felony charges following the armed robbery at Butch’s Auto Salvage on Mercer-Grove City Road in Findley Township.

State police in Mercer responded to the salvage yard Tuesday morning and found business owner Gary L. Butch, 58, had been assaulted and robbed about 6:15 a.m. while he was trying to open the business.

He was taken to the Grove City Medical Center for treatment.

The complaint did not state the relationship between Gary Butch and Robert Butch.

Gary Butch told police that he was confronted by two black males who demanded money from a safe at the business.

At one point, the robbers — one of them later identified as Haynes — heard a noise that caused them to flee in an SUV.

A police officer on patrol chased the vehicle in his vehicle and arrested Haynes after a foot pursuit on the Grove City College campus.

Robert Butch was arrested later that day.

Haynes faces felony aggravated assault, felony robbery while inflicting serious bodily injury charges, as well as charges for theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, simple assault, and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, according to court documents.

He was placed in Mercer County Prison on $250,000 bail.

Robert Butch was charged with conspiracy of burglary, robbery inflicting threat of immediate bodily injury, and conspiracy/theft by unlawful taking.

He was placed in Mercer County Prison on $100,000 bail.

Haynes and Robert Butch have preliminary hearings before Judge D. Neil McEwen scheduled for Sept. 3.

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