Dylan Jesse Hinchberger

An Ellwood City man was charged after police say he burglarized a Washington Township home and assaulted the homeowner.

Dylan Jesse Hinchberger, 31, was charged with one felony count each of aggravated assault, robbery with inflicted injury, vehicle robbery, burglary, theft and firearm possession without a license; and one misdemeanor count each of reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and simple assault related to a Friday, March 28, incident in Washington Township.

Police said Cody Roxberry, 42, called 911 early Friday morning, claiming Hinchberger broke into his camper, assaulted him, stole multiple firearms and a wallet containing $1,700.

Roxberry was transported to AHN Grove City then flown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital to treat his skull fracture and other injuries, police said. Police found blood and gunshot damage when investigating Roxberry’s camper, according to the affidavit.

Roxberry told police he arrived home earlier that evening and was preparing to unlock the door when Hinchberger ran out of the woods yelling threats at Roxberry while carrying a revolver and blunt object. Police said Hinchberger assaulted Roxberry outside with the blunt object then searched his vehicle. Roxberry was able to get inside during the search and saw his camper had been ransacked, police said.

Police said Roxberry followed Hinchberger into the trailer and continued to assault him; Roxberry fired one bullet before fleeing the scene. Police said Roxberry recognized Hinchberger’s voice and had been with him earlier that day.

About 10 minutes after the initial 911 call, police responded to a crash on Cemetery Road in Venango Township about 5 miles from the assault and found Roxberry’s crashed vehicle but no driver. Police said they saw multiple long guns in the vehicle and found a revolver on the ground beside the vehicle.

Police said according to witness reports, Hinchberger had blood on his hands after he was picked up following the crash and admitted to visiting Roxberry’s residence while he wasn’t home and assaulting him.

Police tracked Hinchberger’s cellphone to the Quality Inn Hotel in Mercer County, but before he could be taken into custody, he fled through a second-story window and into heavily wooded area, police said. He was apprehended later and is being held in Butler County Prison on a $500,000 bond.

Police said there were no known threats to the community at any time in the investigation, however, Moniteau High School operated on lockdown for the day.

Hinchberger’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 8 before District Judge Lewis Stoughton.