Two men are locked up in Schuylkill County Prison and another is free on bail after they were caught breaking into a former hospital property in Butler Township.
According to court papers filed by Butler Township Police, Jesse George, 38, of Paxinos, Jeffrey Murphy, 44, of Berwick, and Brian Boblick, 39, of Mount Carmel were arrested on Saturday, February 17th, 2024, after they were found trespassing at the former Ashland Hospital/St. Catherine's property on Broad Street in Fountain Springs.
According to Butler Township Police Patrolman Francis Lally, around 9:00pm, Saturday, he and Lt. Shawn Butler were on patrol canvasing the property at 101 Broad Street when they noticed fresh tire tracks leading to the rear of the building. The property is properly identified as private property.
The officers followed the tracks which led to a truck parked in the rear near the boiler room. Footprints were also visible leading into the boiler room door.
Additional officers from Ashland, West Mahanoy Township responded to the scene to assist with securing the building.
While the officers searched the building, they found 3 individuals, George, Murphy, and Boblick in the basement floor.
Boblick and Murphy were both detained immediately. George was found in the rafters of a hallway. When he was given numerous commands to surrender, he wouldn't comply. West Mahanoy Township Police Ptlm. Buriak deployed his taser, but George continued to disobey commands and attempted to flee. He was eventually taken into custody.
Once outside, all three were being searched, when George attempted to flee again and ran into a nearby wooded area. Lt. Butler from Butler Township and Ptlm. Hysock from West Mahanoy Township gave chase and took George into custody.
In searching the building where all 3 were found, a butane torch, a collapsable ladder, and a Milwaukee grinder were found.
All three were charged with felony conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit criminal trespass.
All were arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge Andrew Serina. Murphy and Boblick remained locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $50,000 straight cash bail. George was released on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, after posting his $100,000 straight cash bail through a bondsman.