Man Charged After Wielding Hatchet During Burglary

A Washington man is charged with felonies after allegedly breaking into a home and attacking a man with a hatchet, police said.

Phillip J. Ritchey, 25, is charged in Franklin County Associate Circuit Court with robbery, two counts of burglary and armed criminal action. Prosecutors requested a $50,000 bond.

The charges stem from a May 29 incident in which the female victim came home and Ritchey was in her residence holding a hatchet, Union police allege.

Ritchey walked toward the woman and she ran from the home.

The victim’s boyfriend ran into the house to confront Ritchey. The suspect came after the man with a hatchet, but Ritchey was subdued by the man, according to police.

Ritchey was let go by the victim’s boyfriend and fled from the home. He was arrested that day at a Washington residence, according to police.

Authorities said that while in police custody, Ritchey confessed to another burglary that occurred that same day at a Union Avenue home.

Larry Pohlman reported $1,000 to $1,500 worth of tools stolen from his home. The tools were recovered from the residence where Ritchey was arrested, police said.