A Pennsylvania man is facing charges after police say he tried to demolish his own house with his wife and two daughters still inside.
Erik Pierwsza, 48, is accused of tearing into part of his Buffalo Township home with an excavator on Tuesday, May 26, after his wife allegedly told him she wanted a divorce.
According to investigators, the chaos began early Tuesday morning after Pierwsza came home following a night of drinking.
His wife told police the couple began arguing, and when she said she was “done” with the marriage, Pierwsza allegedly responded, “If it’s over, I’ll tear the house down.”
Police say that within minutes, he climbed into an excavator and started demolishing part of the home.
His wife and two daughters were still inside at the time.
The woman and children were not physically injured, but investigators said the damage was serious enough to affect the structural integrity of the house.
Pierwsza later turned himself in and was arrested, according to reports.
Court records show he has been charged with causing catastrophe, disorderly conduct, and three counts of recklessly endangering another person.
He is being held on $10,000 bail.
Online court records did not list plea or attorney information.
What started as a marital argument allegedly escalated into a terrifying scene, with a husband accused of using heavy machinery to tear apart the family home while his wife and children were still inside.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. The hotline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
