A Butler man was charged with breaking into a house with a crow bar, as well as kicking down doors at two locations.

Matthew James Cline, 40, was taken into custody after being arrested on East Walnut Street on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Cline was already on probation for burglary, and he is being held in Butler County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Butler city police responded to a report that a man broke into a woman’s apartment with a crow bar while yelling “where’s my son” on East Walnut Street on Dec. 3.

The woman who lived there told police she was awakened by her dogs barking, and found Cline on the landing of her stairs. By the time she called 911 from her bedroom and went back to the stairs, Cline was gone. She later discovered Cline had kicked in her back door, police said.

The officer reported the woman said she believed the man who broke into her home lived in the apartment connected to hers.

While officers were checking around the area, 911 dispatchers received calls coming from First Street from a phone number traced back to Cline. When they arrived, Cline’s son was present. He told officers Cline arrived at the house in a panic.

Cline kicked in the bedroom door, his son told police. He then tried to convince his son to leave with him, but the son refused. Cline fled the scene, police said.

The woman from the first location called 911 again, saying she believed Cline was breaking into her house for a second time, this time through a wooden shelving unit in the basement.

When police arrived, they detained Cline outside the apartment, where the woman identified Cline as the man who broke into her home. She later told police Cline smashed through her basement wall and was able to enter, but then retreated.

Cline is charged with two felony counts of breaking in and criminal trespassing. A preliminary hearing before District Judge William T. Fullerton is set for Monday, Dec. 9.