A Buffalo Township man has been charged with a number of criminal offenses following allegations that he destroyed his own home using an excavator while his wife and children were still in the home on Tuesday morning. 48-year-old Eric Pierwsza was arrested by police following the destruction of his family home in the Martin Road area. Police say that the argument started when Pierwsza’s wife told him that their marriage was over as they had separated recently.As stated by local police and in the details outlined in a criminal complaint, officers say that Pierwsza showed up at the house after drinking throughout the night. Police say that shortly after Pierwsza arrived, he and his wife got into an argument. The criminal complaint states the sequence of events that took place during the altercation.Pierwsza’s wife says that she told her husband that their marriage was over during the argument. As stated in the criminal complaint, Pierwsza allegedly said, “If it’s over, I’ll tear the house down.”Pierwsza then climbed into a Kubota excavator and started dismantling the back part of the family home while his wife and daughters were still inside. The machine had caused considerable damage to the building in a short amount of time, police said. Authorities later noted that the extent of the damage raised serious doubts about the safety of the structure.Pierwsza reportedly left the scene following the incident. Later, he was apprehended by authorities. Charges brought against Pierwsza included causing catastrophe, reckless endangerment, and disorderly conduct.According to investigators, the damage posed an immediate threat to the family since large sections of the building were damaged severely during the incident. When police officers reached the property, they noticed considerable destruction at the back end of the building.Records revealed that Pierwsza continued to be held at the Butler County jail after being unable to post bail of $10,000. Public records showed that the preliminary hearing would take place before District Judge Jack D. Ripper on June 9.It came from court documents that there was no defense attorney recorded for Pierwsza at the point when the details were released.The case has been receiving much attention locally due to the involvement of heavy machinery during the assault, which took place while relatives remained in the house. The police are still investigating the cause of the conflict and the destruction of property.
