A Slippery Rock Township man is facing multiple felony charges related to alleged trespassing after being arrested by Butler city police in the early morning hours of Friday, Feb. 7.

Police charged Tristen Lee Galarza with two felony counts each of criminal trespass and criminal attempt, and a misdemeanor charge of loitering and prowling at night after they say he tried to break into two homes.

According to an affidavit, police were dispatched at 3:59 a.m. to 568 Second Street for a report of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, police made contact with homeowner Evan Neergard and Galarza, who were fighting outside the residence.

After being detained, Galarza told police he was in the neighborhood trying to buy a vehicle. But when asked why he was trying to buy a vehicle at 4 a.m., he did not answer.

Ashley Neergard told police she woke up her husband after hearing loud knocking at the door. He then found Galarza ducking down in the driveway below the couple’s window.

According to the affidavit, Galarza did not comply with Neergard’s request to leave the property. Neergard then stepped outside to confront Galarza and a physical altercation followed. Neergard detained Galarza until police arrived.

Another witness, Bruce Beichner, told police he saw Galarza trying to break into 572 Second St. before knocking on the door of the Neergards’ residence. The homeowners, Andrue Huffman and Cadyn Fratus, told police they heard knocking followed by their door handle being jostled. Huffman and Fratus later provided police with footage of Galarza attempting to break into the home.