Man Broke Into Ex-Girlfriend’s Home, Stalked Her: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — A West Haven man is accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home in Hamden while she was putting up a Christmas tree with her children and later stalking her, according to police. He was also charged with violating a protective order. Hamden Police responded to a Franklin Road residence on Dec. 2 after Harold Cole forcibly entered the rear bathroom window of his ex-girlfriend’s home, according to Capt. Ronald Smith.

Smith said the victim and her children were “putting up the Christmas tree” when the incident occurred. The victim told her children to hide, while she called the police and Cole then fled from the area, according to Smith.

Hamden Police again responded to the Franklin Road residence on Dec. 4. The victim told police that earlier in the day, she saw Cole seated inside of a vehicle in a nearby parking lot. Shortly thereafter, she entered her vehicle and drove toward Hubbard Place and Cole subsequently followed her for a short distance, before colliding with another vehicle, according to Smith. Cole again, fled from the area.

Police secured arrest warrants for Cole for the two incidents and he was arrested Dec. 7 at Hamden Police Headquarters, according to Smith. To sign up for Hamden breaking news alerts and more, click here.

Cole, 31, of Treat Street in West Haven, was charged with criminal attempt to commit second-degree burglary, first-degree stalking and three counts of violation of a protective order. Cole, who was detained on a court-ordered $35,000 bond, was scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Dec. 10.

Pictured: Harold Cole, 31, of West Haven / Hamden Police Department