Ex-girlfriend led to fight ending in alligator theft 

Alcohol and a woman were behind an alleged assault that culminated with the theft of a wooden alligator in Tyrone Township, state police at Hollidaysburg said Friday. Todd W. Pensyl, 40, of Altoona allegedly beat up Michael A. Barner, 41, around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday because Pensyl saw his ex-girlfriend arrive at Barner's 307 Dons Drive home in Sinking Valley, Trooper Kenneth Benton said. Pensyl is accused of walking into Barner's home and assaulting Barner, ultimately pushing him out the back door and onto the lawn where police said he continued the attack. A hand-carved wooden alligator belonging to Barner was taken by Pensyl out of spite, Benton said. Both Barner and Pensyl were drinking, police said. The alligator was found in a nearby yard, Benton said. Pensyl is lodged in Blair County Prison on $25,000 bail and faces aggravated assault, burglary and theft-related charges. Barner was also taken into custody after he was treated at the hospital on an unrelated warrant stemming from a simple assault, police said. Barner remains free on $20,000 unsecured bail.