Charges Dropped Against One Defendant in Clarion Borough Home Invasion

Jake Bauer

Jake Bauer

Published July 29, 2014 4:00 pm
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CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Clarion County prosecutors have dropped charges against one of two men accused of taking part in a home invasion in Clarion Borough in May.

Matthew D. Paxton, 20, of Pittsburgh, was charged with felony charges of Burglary, Criminal Trespass, Criminal Conspiracy, Misdemeanor charges of Terroristic Threats and a Summary Offense of Criminal Mischief.

The charges stemmed from an alleged  incident that occurred around 12:16 a.m. on May 4, when Clarion Borough Police Officers were dispatched to Shady Avenue for a report of a home invasion.

According to the criminal complaint, Resident #1 relayed that she was at a party when Patrick Lalonde allegedly accused her of stealing money from him. She told the officers that she left the party and went back to her residence. A short time later, she stated that Lalonde allegedly came to her residence and began pounding on the doors and windows and wanted to come in.

Resident #1 stated that she refused to open the door for Lalonde. Resident #2 told officers that she noticed someone climbing in the front window, and she and resident #1 went and locked themselves into a bedroom. Resident #2 stated that she identified one of the individuals that entered the residence as Lalonde.

Both residents told officers that while they were locked in the bedroom someone punched the bedroom door leaving a hole and also broke a mirror in the hallway. Resident #1 then pointed to the residence of Lalonde and Officers Theiss and Wright proceeded to Lalonde’s residence.

Officers Theiss and Wright approached the residence on Frampton Street, and Officer Wright knocked on the front door. Two individuals ran out the side door on the eastern side of the building and a foot pursuit ensued. Officer Theiss apprehended one of the suspects approximately two blocks from the Frampton Street residence and identified the suspect as Patrick Vaughan Lalonde.

Once in custody, Lalonde stated that he thought that Resident #1 had stolen money from him, but then realized that he made a mistake. He stated that he and a friend that he allegedly identified as Matthew Paxton were angry and entered into the residence on Shady Avenue and that Paxton began punching the door and mirror. Lalonde stated that he told Paxton to forget about it and they left.

“After speaking with the Assistant District Attorney about strengths and weaknesses of the case prior to the preliminary Hearing, the Assistant District Attorney agreed to withdraw all charges pending against Mr. Paxton and dispose of the case,” said Frank Walker, Attorney for Mr. Paxton.

It was determined that the only evidence pointing to the possible involvement of Mr. Paxton, was deemed presumably false testimony, according to Walker.

The case against Lalonde continues to make its way through the system.

He faces charges of Burglary, Conspiracy — Burglary, Criminal Trespass, Terroristic Threats and Purchasing Alcohol by a Minor.

A Criminal Conference is set for August 13 at the Clarion County District Attorney’s Office.

Lalonde remains free on $10,000 bail.

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