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Mon Valley men face charges in West Newton home invasion Donora man jailed in burglary, Monongahela man wanted in case

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WEST NEWTON – Two Mon Valley men are facing charges related to an armed home invasion Thursday in West Newton.

District Judge Charles Christner sent Dakota Richard Johnston, 22, of Donora, to Westmoreland County Jail on $100,000 bond Thursday on a string of charges in the case. Christner also signed a warrant for the arrest of Johnston’s alleged accomplice, Tyler James Hall, 22, of Monongahela, court records show.

West Newton police accuse Hall and Tyler of pushing their way into a house at 137 N. Second St. about 11:10 a.m. while placing a handgun to the face of the female resident.

The woman told police she was struck repeatedly in the head during a “tussle” with the suspects, police stated in the affidavit supporting the criminal charges in the case.

She managed to go outside to seek help, at which time the suspects allegedly stole her television. It later was found in her backyard, according to court records.

Johnston was found in the 100 block of North Second Street as the borough police chief was responding to the woman’s call to 911. Johnston allegedly was carrying a Glock .45-caliber handgun in the left side pocket of his hooded sweatshirt, the affidavit indicates.

West Newton police received a call from Monongahela police advising them that Johnston, of 102 Ida Ave., and Hall, of 1224 Fourth St., were suspects in similar crimes in the Monongahela area. Charges have yet to be filed against them in connection with those allegations, online court records show.

They are charged by West Newton police with robbery, burglary, trespassing, aggravated assault, simple assault, theft, receiving stolen property, reckless endangerment, carrying a firearm without a license and conspiracy.

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