A Sarver couple is facing felony charges after a Summit Township resident accused them of forcing their way into her home to remove Lewis's children, according to a report from the Butler Eagle. Amber Starr Lewis, 28, and Robert Henry Hupp, 26, were charged with burglary and criminal trespass following the alleged break-in.
Police responded to a home along Old Route 422 in Summit Township after the resident reported that Lewis and Hupp had entered without permission, according to Butler Eagle. The outlet reports the incident unfolded as the pair attempted to remove Lewis's children from the home. ButlerRadio.com, which also covered the case, reported that the incident happened Wednesday on the 2000 block of Old Route 422.
Resident Describes Physical Altercation
The resident told police that Lewis struck her in the face with a closed fist and that Hupp pinned her down during the confrontation, per the same Butler Eagle report. Lewis and Hupp reportedly admitted to entering the residence without permission but denied that any altercation took place.
ButlerRadio.com reported that police advised Lewis to pursue the courts to regain custody rather than go to the home herself. The station also reported that Lewis and Hupp were released from custody on the condition that they return for further court proceedings.
Felony Charges and What's Ahead
Lewis and Hupp were each charged with burglary and criminal trespass, both felonies under Pennsylvania law. Under the state's criminal code, burglary requires entry, with intent to commit a crime, into a structure or portion of one meeting specified statutory conditions, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The same statute covers criminal trespass, which applies to entering, gaining entry by subterfuge, or surreptitiously remaining in a building while knowing one is not licensed or privileged to do so.
Under that provision, the cited trespass offense is graded as a felony of the third degree, while breaking into a building or occupied structure is graded as a felony of the second degree, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly's statute. Further court proceedings are expected.
