Suspect in murder of teen girl detained on gun theft charge
BRISTOL, PA. » The cousin of a 14-year-old girl who was fatally shot and stabbed in her Bristol Township home last week was arrested Monday and charged with stealing two guns belonging to the victim’s father.
Colin Haag, 20, who lived at the residence with Autumn Bartle and her parents, has been identified as a suspect in the murder of the teen, but has not been charged with her homicide at this time.
Haag was arraigned late Monday afternoon on one count of theft of the guns by unlawful taking or disposition, a felony of the second degree.
Bail was set at $100,000 cash, and Haag is being held at the Bucks County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is tentatively scheduled for April 11.
Autumn Bartle died Monday morning at St. Christopher’s Hospital in Philadelphia, three days after her parents found their daughter shot and stabbed multiple times in their home.
During the investigation, police discovered that two firearms owned by Michael Bartle, the victim’s father, were missing, according to a probable cause affidavit. The guns, a .380 Smith and Wesson Bodyguard pistol and a 9mm Smith and Wesson M&P pistol, had been stored by Michael Bartle in an upstairs bedroom of his home in the 400 block of Sycamore Avenue, the affidavit said.
Haag subsequently was found by Bensalem Township Police along State Road between Camer Drive and Imperial Court, suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the neck. Upon searching him, police found him in possession of the two handguns reported stolen by Michael Bartle, the affidavit said.
Haag was charged upon his release from Jefferson Health, where he had undergone treatment for the gunshot wound.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Bristol Township Police at 267-812-3049, or use the crime tip line at 215788-8289.