Most charges held against New Salem man
A New Salem man police allege broke into his mother’s home, assaulted her and then stole her purse will stand trial.
State police Trooper Christian D. Lieberum said Derek Michael Endsley, 21, was charged with two counts of robbery and single counts of burglary, theft, simple assault and reckless endangerment.
During a preliminary hearing Monday before Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino Jr., prosecutors withdrew the robbery charges, amended the burglary charge to a trespassing charge and then Endsley waived the remaining charges to Fayette County Court.
Lieberum said the charges were filed against Endsley after he entered the residence of his mother, Deidre Shutz, 39, on Hopewell Road in Merrittstown on Oct. 8 by crawling through a window.
According to Lieberum, Shutz was awakened around 4:30 a.m. and found her son crawling through a window.
Following an altercation, Lieberum said Endsley was able to overpower his mother and steal her cellphone and medication.
Later that day, Lieberum said Endsley was identified as a suspect in a second incident involving a family member.
In that case, Lieberum said Endsley was charged before Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr. with terroristic threats and simple assault for an incident involving his 19-year-old wife, Kayla Endsley.
Following a preliminary hearing last week, George held the simple assault charge against Endsley for Fayette County Court and dismissed the terroristic threats charge.
Lieberum said those charges were filed against Derek Endsley after he threatened to burn down Kayla Endsley’s home and assaulted her at her residence on New Salem Road.
Derek Endsley remains in Fayette County Prison.