Police Say Man Stole Dump Truck, Damaged Property, Headbutted Nurse

A Lock Haven man faces a long list of charges after an incident in Centre County that allegedly involved the theft of a dump truck, property damage, showing a ‘butt crack’ and headbutting a nurse.

State police at Rockview responded on Saturday morning to the Liberty Township Municipal Building, 124 Hunter Run Road, for a report of a possible vehicle theft. Upon arrival, an officer spotted a yellow dump truck in a swamp several yards off the road.

While searching the township garage, police found Charles A. Buday, 43, asleep in a truck, according to a criminal complaint. Police said Buday had several areas of fresh and dry blood on him and believed he was at work at the Lock Haven Goodwill.

Security footage showed Buday breaking into an equipment shed at about 2:30 a.m., police said. Ten minutes later Buday, driving the dump truck, broke through the shed door, damaging the truck and the door, according to the complaint.

Buday, who did not have a valid driver’s license, allegedly drove the truck across the road before going out of view of the camera. 

At 2:55 a.m., Buday came to the front of the main building and smashed a window to get inside, according to the complaint. Police said while he was in front of the building ‘Buday was observed to be displaying his butt crack in an area that was likely to be seen by the public.’

Once inside, Buday allegedly damaged multiple items and blood was observed throughout the building. A supervisor, who confirmed Buday did not work for the township or have any right to be inside the buildings or vehicles, estimated the damage to be about $15,000.

Ambulance personnel determined Buday needed to see a doctor for his injuries and he was transported to Mount Nittany Medical Center. During evaluations and tests, Buday allegedly headbutted a nurse, causing injury. He also allegedly tried to escape from police custody.

Buday was charged with two felony counts each of aggravated assault, burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief; one felony count each of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, criminal attempt – escape and criminal attempt – flight to avoid trial; one misdemeanor count each of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and open lewdness; and summary offenses of driving without a license, failure to notify change in address, careless driving and failure to use a safety belt.

He was arraigned before District Judge Casey McClain and bail was set at $75,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.