Man Arrested in Vernon 2 Days After Prison Release

VERNON, CT — A man let out of prison just two days earlier was arrested on Friday for allegedly trying to break into the Vernon apartment of a woman with whom he had a child, police said.

Joseph Richards, 35, has no listed address since his release, police said. He had been serving a two-year sentence for violating a protective order and assaulting a public safety officer in Vernon, according to court records. He was released on Wednesday, police said.

At 9:47 p.m. on Friday, he was arrested and charged with criminal attempt to commit second-degree burglary and second-degree breach of peace, police said. According to an arrest report, he tried to push an air conditioning unit through a window and get into an apartment at 17 Regan St., according to an arrest report.

He was drunk and had already been asked to leave the area near the apartment three times during the course of the day, according to an arrest report.

He fled the complex on foot but was picked up a short distance away, police said.

He is due for a second court appearance on July 13, records show.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel

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