Cops: Man Punching Through Doors to Get to Woman Charged with Burglary in Cortlandt

CORTLANDT, NY – A Yonkers man who police allege attacked a Cortlandt woman's home — throwing a rock through a window, forcing open the front door, and using brass knuckles to punch his way into the room where she had barricaded herself — is now facing a burglary charge and a criminal mischief charge.

On April 11, New York State Police from the Cortlandt Barracks arrested Peter T. Kennelly, 35, and charged him with Burglary in the 1st Degree, a Class B "violent" Felony, and Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, a Class D Felony.

At 1:30 p.m., Troopers were dispatched by Westchester County 911 to a burglary in progress in Cortlandt. The caller reported that a man was attempting to enter her home.

When they arrived, officers saw the front door of the home forced open and found Kennelly on the second floor. They allege he was using metal knuckles in an attempt to punch his way into a room where the victim had barricaded herself.

Further investigation revealed Kennelly had damaged a second story window by throwing a rock through it and also used a rock to damage a vehicle that was parked in the driveway, police said. He was blasting music.

Police said she had known him a long time ago.

Kennelly was arraigned by the Honorable Daniel McCarty at the Town of Cortlandt Court and remanded to Westchester County Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail or bond. He was directed to reappear in the Town of Cortlandt Court on April 14. An order of protection was issued.