Former Elizabeth borough chief ordered to stand trial

By JEFF STITT
jstitt@yourmvi.com
Elizabeth borough’s former police chief, who is accused of abusing his role to steal countless stamp bags of heroin from the evidence room and mishandling coins collected from borough parking meters, was ordered to stand trial in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court.
Tim Butler, 42, of Finleyville, who served as police chief for four years, appeared before Magisterial District Judge Michael W. Thatcher in Jefferson Hills on Wednesday, where he waived his right to a preliminary hearing on intent to possess a controlled substance and one count each of obstructing administration of law or other government function and theft by unlawful taking. One count of obstructing administration of law or other government function was dropped by Assistant District Attorney Michael M. Ahwesh.
Following a preliminary hearing, he was held for court on one count of theft by unlawful taking and two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received related to the alleged parking meter thefts.
Butler was charged Dec. 20 following an investigation by Allegheny County Detective Lyle Graber. He was placed on paid administrative leave Dec. 7, and was required to turn over all borough property, the key to the evidence room and his badge.

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