Supsected robber sought by city police
Butler police are seeking a suspected robber accused of bashing a city man in the head with a chunk of cinder block and stealing a cell phone.
District Judge Pete Shaffer today issued an arrest warrant for Michael Karch, 35, no known address, in the attack late Wednesday night on North Elm Street.
Karch is charged with robbery, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.
The alleged victim, Shane Baker-Whipkey, 34, suffered serious head injuries in the altercation about 11 p.m.
Police said Karch and Baker-Whipkey got into an argument over a cell phone.
A witness told police that he heard Karch say “give me my phone” during the confrontation, according to court documents.
At some point, Karch got a piece of cinder block and hit Baker-Whipkey with it.
When officers got there, Karch was gone, apparently with the victim's phone, police said. Baker-Whipkey was covered in blood with a large gash on his upper right forehead.
He was taken to Butler Memorial Hospital. His condition was not immediately available.