Warrant Says Middletown Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Willimantic Break-In Called Victim From Prison

WILLIMANTIC, CT — A Middletown man charged with attempted murder in a Willimantic home invasion is now accused of violating a protective order by contacting the victim from prison, state police said.

State police from the Troop C barracks On Aug. 13 served a warrant to 40-year-old Dean Peruta on two counts of violating a protective order associated with the May 4 home invasion.

Peruta is being held at Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center on a $1 million bond with a Sept. 15 court date in Danielson, judicial system records show.

Peruta is facing charges of home invasion, a Class A felony; second-degree assault involving striking or kicking the head, a Class D felony; criminal violation of a restraining order, a Class D felony; first-degree strangulation or suffocation, a Class C felony; first-degree unlawful restraint, a Class D felony; first-degree reckless endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor; second-degree threatening involving a physical threat, a Class A misdemeanor; and attempted murder, a Class A felony.

Police records show that Peruta is accused of breaking into his ex-wife's home at about 10 p.m., choking her and beating her. Officers responding to an emergency 911 call heard screams, forced their way into the home and took Peruta into custody, police records show.

On June 18, the woman told state police that she received a call from the prison and it was Peruta.

She "immediately" recognized his voice, according to a warrant. Peruta said it was because of a child's birthday, but court orders prohibit him from having any contact with her.