Crime & Safety
Man, 19, Broke In At 6 AM, Elderly Homeowner Fought Back: PD
Jack Rivadeneira, charged with two felonies, said he thought a "friend was inside the house and was trying to help her," police said.
EAST HAVEN, CT —Shortly before sunrise, a homeowner on Kimberly Avevene was awoken by a man "violently banging" and then breaking through his front door, police said. When officers got to the home, they found the elderly resident "actively fighting" the intruder, East Haven Police Department Capt. Joseph M. Murgo said.
Jack Rivadeneira, 19, of East Haven, had broken in and once inside, he "ran through" the house breaking "valuables." Murgo said, with the homeowner fighting Rivadeneira. The man held Rivadeneira down until police got there.
Murgo said Rivadeneira told officers that he thought his "friend was inside of the residence, and he was trying to help her." Murgo said there was "no such friend" inside; just the two people who live there.
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The incident happened on March 19.
Rivadeneira was charged with first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree burglary, both felonies. He was also charged with third-degree assault of an elderly person and disorderly conduct.
Find out what's happening in East Havenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Initially held on bail, Rivadeneira went before a judge in New Haven, posted a $50,000 surety bond and was released, court records show. He's due back in court April 11.
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