CT Man Accused Of Shutting Off Power To Apartment Charged With Cruelty: State PD

NEW FAIRFIELD, CT — A New Fairfield man accused of shutting off power to the apartment of a resident who uses electrical medical equipment was arrested Wednesday on intentional cruelty and other charges, according to state police.

In a news release, state police said New Fairfield officers and troopers assigned to Troop A in Southbury responded to a report of an active disturbance Wednesday around 3 a.m. in New Fairfield.

The report indicated Giovanni Grillo, 73, of New Fairfield, had turned off the main electrical supply to the apartment of an occupant who uses electrical medical equipment to maintain their health, state police said.

The report also indicated Grillo had expressed his desire for the occupant to vacate the apartment, according to state police.

Responding officers confirmed the wellbeing of the occupant of the apartment and called in EMS officers to perform an evaluation as a precaution, state police said.

Officers then met with Grillo, who acknowledged he had interfered with the function of the medical equipment by shutting off the electrical supply to the apartment, according to state police.

When asked if he understood the medical equipment was vital to the wellbeing of the occupant of the apartment, Grillo "indicated that he was aware of the potential ramifications of his actions," state police said.

"Based upon the information obtained during the investigation, it was determined that this incident met the criteria of a family violence crime and Grillo was taken into custody," state police said.

Grillo was charged with disorderly conduct, first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree assault of an elderly person and intentional cruelty to persons.

He was held on a $20,000 bond and transferred over to the Connecticut Department of Correction pending an arraignment scheduled for Thursday, according to state police.