Gillenwater faces burglary, assault charges

POTOSI — A man is facing charges after a Washington County man reported being robbed at gunpoint and knifepoint at his home last month.

Christopher Gillenwater, 25, of Tiff, has been charged with first-degree burglary, armed criminal action, stealing, and second-degree assault.

According to the probable cause statement, a man told the Washington County Sheriff’s Office that two men broke into his home on Hillcrest Road on Nov. 5 while he was there. He said the men tied his hands with an extension cord and placed a blanket over his head. He said the men got his 22-caliber pistol and a knife from the kitchen and threatened to kill him. He said one man struck him over the head with the pistol. He said they were wearing masks and he did not know who they were.

He reported that several items were stolen from his residence including the gun and three others, a television, a Weed Eater and a chainsaw. 

On Dec. 3, Captain Michael Gum received a call from the St. Charles Regional Drug Task Force with information that another man admitted to participating in the burglary with Gillenwater. Numerous stolen items including the chainsaw and Weed Eater were found at a St. Charles County residence.

The other man has not been charged at this time.

Gillenwater has several past convictions including second-degree robbery, armed criminal action, second-degree burglary, stealing, tampering, first-degree burglary, damage to Department of Corrections property and two counts of endangering Department of Corrections employees by exposing them to bodily fluid. 

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.