Joffre man accused in N. Strabane burglary
A Joffre man was arraigned Wednesday on burglary and other charges after he allegedly forced his way into the North Strabane Township home of his former girlfriend last month.
Travis Mullins, 33, also was charged with violating a protection-from-abuse order obtained by his estranged girlfriend, Heather Hudock, in February from Judge Michael Lucas.
Township police were called to Hudock’s home on Gala Drive March 3 when she reported Mullins forced his way into her home. He allegedly fled before officers arrived. She told police she received the PFA Feb. 12 and Mullins was notified of it by township police four days later.
Hudock told police Mullins called her and told her he was coming over. She said a short time later, Mullins entered through the garage and kicked open the door leading into her home.
She told police he seemed intoxicated. Hudock said she was concerned for her safety, so she locked herself in the bathroom and waited for police to arrive. She told police Mullins ran out the back of the house when they arrived.
Mullins has been in Washington County jail since March 25 on a bench warrant ordered by Senior District Judge Jay Dutton after he failed to appear for a March 12 preliminary hearing on charges of theft by deception, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and bad checks. He was ordered held for court in his absence on the theft charges and is awaiting formal arraignment on May 20.
Mt. Pleasant Township police Chief Lou McQuillan said those charges were filed against Mullins in November after he gave a tow truck operator a bad check. His vehicle was being towed after a Sept. 17 traffic stop on Noblestown Road at Johns Avenue in which he was charged as a habitual offender, for a stop sign violation and for driving with a suspended license. He also failed to appear for his preliminary hearing on those charges.
In the latest case, Mullins was arraigned by video before District Judge Jay Weller on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, harassment and violating the PFA. Bond was set at $60,000. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before Weller on April 14.