Area man who participated in homicide arrested for attempted robbery
A Fayette County man who pleaded guilty as a juvenile in 1995 to participating in the stabbing and beating death of an elderly Lemont Furnace man was arrested for attempted robbery Friday, Uniontown police reported. Joseph Howard Savage, 23, of 126 Front St., West Leisenring, was charged with felony attempted robbery for allegedly trying to rob the Sunoco A-Plus at 55 Connellsville St. around 5:15 a.m. Jan. 1, city police said.
He was arraigned before District Justice Mark Blair and committed to the Fayette County Prison in lieu of $50,000 straight cash bond, city police Detective Phillip Jones said.
Jones said a warrant for Savage’s arrest was issued Thursday, but officers were not able to locate him that day.
A tip led police to a West Main Street business, and Savage was there, but he slipped out the back door when officers arrived, Jones said.
A foot chase ensued, with Savage leading the officers down an alley next to the old Hagan building before he surrendered to Jones and Deputy Sheriff Steve Harogas at 11:15 a.m., according to police.
While running after Savage, officer Charles David slipped in a pothole in the snow-covered alley and severely sprained his ankle, police said.
Savage’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday before Blair.
It won’t be his first time in a courtroom.
Savage, then 15, pleaded guilty in December 1995 to second-degree murder after his 13-year-old accomplice, Michael James Martin of Lemont Furnace, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Walter Magda, 77, of Lemont Furnace.
According to testimony from Martin’s trial, on Nov. 30, 1994, Savage stabbed Magda, and Martin struck Magda in the head with a board that had a nail protruding from it.
The incident occurred in the victim’s home. They also stole two watches, $85 in cash and Magda’s car, which later was found burned. Martin used to shovel snow for the victim.
Both teens were tried as juveniles and were sentenced to undisclosed terms in juvenile detention facilities.