2 Arrested As Group Protests Eviction Notice At Norwalk Home: UPDATE

NORWALK, CT — Two people, including a man accused of approaching a police officer with an axe in his hand, were arrested Monday morning after a state marshal attempted to serve an eviction notice at a Norwalk home.

Police Lt. Joe Dinho said in a news release officers were called to a Sylvester Court home around 9 a.m. after a state marshal reported he had been met by a group that was obstructing his attempt to serve the order, as well as several people trespassing on the property.

When officers arrived at the home, they were confronted by a group of about 20 people "protesting the eviction, trespassing and obstructing," Dinho said.

Officers told the group they were trespassing on the property and asked them to leave. Andrew Pritchard, 59, the former homeowner, was arrested after refusing to leave the property, Dinho said.

The other protestors, many of whom had traveled to Norwalk from outside the city and the state, left the property after being warned by police and continued their protest in the street, Dinho said.

As this occurred, Roberto Porzio, 48, of Westport, approached an officer blocking the road while holding an axe in his hand, Dinho said.

According to Dinho, Porzio ignored orders to stop approaching and drop the axe. He was arrested after the officer drew his taser and ordered him to stop.

Pritchard was charged with first-degree criminal trespass and interfering with an officer. He was held on a $10,000 bond.

Porzio was charged with interfering with an officer and held on a $20,000 bond. Both men are scheduled to appear in court in September, Dinho said.

No injuries were reported during the incident. Police also noted all other protesters and bystanders present at the home were peaceful.

During a press conference Monday afternoon, Deputy Police Chief James Walsh said a state marshal had previously attempted to serve an eviction notice at the home back in May but was "met with resistance then" as well.

Walsh said the group gathered at the house mainly consisted of associates of Pritchard "via online and social media."

The Norwalk Hour reports the case dates back to 2015 when CitiMortgage Inc. filed a foreclosure complaint, and the case has since seen hundreds of filings. Family members told the paper there were a number of issues with the case and the money owed was debatable.

Property records indicate the Pritchards bought the house for $375,000 in 1995 and it was sold to LD Properties, LLC in December 2021 for $1.25 million, according to The Norwalk Hour.