CLEARFIELD – The 19-year-old Cherry Tree man accused of escaping from the Clearfield County Jail two weeks ago waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday.
Ronald J. Beltowski is accused of obtaining help from two other inmates at CCJ Sept. 23. The two men played a role in Beltowski’s escape that allowed him to leave the jail and make his way to his mother’s home in Cherry Tree.
The two other inmates, Hank C. Petrillo, 19, and Robert J. Gavlock, 30, are alleged to have helped Beltowski in his escape. The cases of both Petrillo and Gavlock were continued until Oct. 17. Petrillo is accused of helping Beltowski onto the jail’s roof. Gavlock is alleged to have distracted a guard so that Beltowski could escape.
On the day of Beltowski’s escape, authorities pursued him during a seven-hour manhunt.
He ultimately turned himself in after engaging in a cell phone negotiation with law enforcement.
Beltowski will be housed in a facility outside of Clearfield County, and his case will be added to the trial list.
Beltowski was in jail to answer for theft and receiving stolen property charges filed against him stemming from an August incident.
According to court documents, on Aug. 14, Beltowski along with James R. Davis, 33, and William P. Davis Jr., 42, removed six 10-foot sections of cherry tree from a man’s property. The lumber was then sold to an area lumber yard.
William Davis entered a plea at CCJ Wednesday. He is to pay a $100 fine plus the costs of prosecution. He is also to serve a one-year sentence of probation. Restitution in the case has yet to be determined.
James Davis failed to appear, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Beltowski waived his charges in the tree theft case.
Beltowski also entered a guilty plea to a summary charge of driving while his driver’s license was suspended for driving under the influence. He is to serve 90 days in jail.