Three indicted in robbery case

WARREN — Three men charged in the robbery of a township homeowner who was stabbed and slashed in the face have been indicted.

Justin Porterfield, 20, of Hermitage, Pa.; Ronald Pickard Jr., 20, of Walnut Street, West Middlesex, Pa.; and Erik Splitstone, 23, of Jefferson Avenue, Sharon, Pa., were indicted on charges that could land them in prison for 30 years each.

The Trumbull County grand jury gave the indictment report Thursday in common pleas court.

Township Police Chief Paul Monroe said that three men wearing ski masks forced their way into the Fuller Drive home of Sergio Chavarria on Oct. 14.

They stabbed Chavarria and took a firearm, cell phone, cash and drugs. He was treated at Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Monroe said Pickard surrendered to Sharon police and U.S. marshals Friday, and Splitstone surrendered at Truck World in Hubbard Township.

Porterfield was arrested Oct. 19 at a relative’s Pennsylvania home while hiding in a closet.

Porterfield and Pickard both face charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and felonious assault.

Splitstone faces a charge of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and kidnapping.