"HOME INVASIONS 'RARELY' HAPPEN IN CONNECTICUT" - NOT!!!!

"Home invasions rarely if ever happen in Connecticut" or some variant of that has been repeated at community meetings, Capitol hearing testimony and even from the Redding Chief of police last week at a community meeting. While I can expect that from relatively naive and uninformed civilians, hearing if from Chief Fuchs was both a surprise and a disappointment. 

Such denials of reality are ALWAYS mentioned by those seeking greater restrictions, up to disarmament, of law-abiding citizens who chose to own self-defense firearms. Whether trying to convince themselves that their own homes are not at risk or trying to "disarm" those promulgating self-defense, those putting forth this idea are factually incorrect that home invasions in Connecticut are "rare". This includes Chief Fuchs unless he was limiting his comment to Redding, though he did not qualify his statement in any way. 

So with very little effort, I have compiled the following summary of new stories on home invasions in Connecticut since August. This list is far from comprehensive or complete but is offered to make a point that invasions are not rare and happen in a wide range of communities, not jus the "bad neighborhoods". Based on what I have seen, the news reports well over 50 such cases in Connecticut in 2012 which means that the actual number is likely higher given the media is far from perfect in reporting every event. 

Note, this post is not an argument for or against civilians putting up an armed defense if they are subject to a home invasion. It is just making the point that such events are far from as "rare" as many think. - TP

Man gets 8 years in prison for Conn. home invasion - 07 Feb 2013

WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) — A man who frightened a baby sitter and several children during a home invasion in Waterbury and later choked a police dog has been sentenced to eight years in prison. A state judge in Waterbury sentenced 26-year-old Brandon Newman of Prospect on Wednesday. He pleaded guilty to burglary and risk of injury to a minor last year. Police say Newman was high on PCP when he barged into the apartment in February 2012, mistakenly believing it was his cousin's home. Officers say he chased several children before the baby sitter was able to flee with the youngsters. Authorities say Newman later choked a police dog and threw it against a wall during a struggle with officers.

MDC Impostors Rob Hartford Home; Two-hour delay before police responded - Jan 29, 2013

The Metropolitan District Commission is warning customers after a group of men posing as water company employees entered a residence in Hartford and robbed the homeowners. On Monday night, two males claiming to be MDC employees knocked on the door of a Hubbard Street home, according to Hartford Police Lt. Brian Foley, entered the residence and asked the elderly residents to take them into the basement to check the water pressure. When the homeowners got suspicious and asked the men to leave, two other males entered the home. The four males then proceeded to steal a safe filled $10,000 and jewelry from the home, according to police.

Investigators said the home invasion happened around 5 p.m., but they did not respond to the house until 7 p.m. and they will be looking into what caused the delay and how the report was dispatched. Police are investigating similar incidents involving MDC impostors in Newington and West Hartford in the past few months.

Man charged in Danbury home invasion - 28Jan 2013

A man charged in a violent home invasion in Danbury is set to appear in court, while three other suspects are being sought by police. Thirty-seven-year-old Jacob George of Newtown is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Danbury Superior Court on first-degree assault, home invasion and other charges connected to Saturday night's attack that left a 40-year-old man with serious injuries. George is being held on $100,000 bail. Police told the News-Times of Danbury that the four suspects broke into a home on Clapboard Ridge Road in an attempt to find another man, but he wasn't there. Police say the suspects punched and kicked a man in the house. Authorities didn't release the victim's name or condition.

Manchester Police Investigate Home Invasion – 30 Jan 2013

Manchester police are investigating a home invasion that occurred on Monday night and said a small child was home when it occurred. The home invasion happened on Woodland Street at 7:20 p.m., according to police. The victim said a man entered her apartment while she was home with a small child, a brief struggle ensued with the intruder fled the scene.

He was wearing a black sweatshirt, blue jeans and dark “beanie” style hat and was wearing a backpack of some type, according to police. The victim sustained minor non-life threatening injuries, but refused further medical treatment.  Police said the intruder appeared to be looking for specific items that he believed were in the residence, so investigators believe this crime was targeted and not chosen at random.

Police Investigate Norwich Home Invasion - 30Jan2013

Norwich police are investigating a home invasion on Lambert Drive that was reported early Tuesday morning. Police received the report at 3:46 a.m. and the victims said the intruders had firearms and demanded money from the residents. One resident sustained minor injuries and has been released from the William W. Backus Hospital. Police said the incident does not appear to be random. 

Bridgeport Man Charged With Home Invasion - 09 Jan 2013

Bridgeport police have arrested a local man accused of committing a home invasion on Oak Street on Aug. 14 and they are looking for another person believed to have been involved. The U.S. Marshal's Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force arrested (suspect), 24, on Tuesday at his girlfriend's residence on South Avenue, according to police. He faces charges of home invasion, first-degree robbery, third-degree larceny and criminal possession of a stun gun.

State Police Investigating Home Invasion in Colchester – 04 Jan 2013

State Police are investigating after a home invasion in Colchester on Thursday night. The incident happened at 7 Ivy Court just after 8 p.m. and a person inside the home was struck over the head with an unknown object, authorities said. According to police, a manhunt was underway for two intruders who fled on foot. Neighbors feel unsettled by what occurred at the home.

Home Invasion Reported in West Hartford – 02 Jan 2013

Police are investigating a reported home invasion on Chesterfield Lane in West Hartford on Wednesday morning. Someone called police to report a possible home invasion at the nearly million-dollar home at 1:15 a.m. When police arrived, they found three residents who had locked themselves into different rooms in the house, verified their safety, and secured the scene.

Based on information from the residents, three people entered the home, stole items, then fled, police said. One of them displayed a handgun. Police said the intruders were in the house for around five minutes before leaving and no residents were injured.

Police Investigate Home Invasion in Avon – 19 Dec 2012

Avon police are investigating a home invasion at a single-family home on Jackson Road on Tuesday night. Police received a 911 call at 7:40 p.m. reporting an armed residential robbery. Three people were in the house when two males wearing all black and masks forced their way in, ordered everyone to the ground at gunpoint and demanded money, police said.

Police Investigate Possible Home Invasion - 14 Dec 2012

State police are investigating a home invasion and robbery in at the Renwood Apartments in Mansfield. State police received a 911 call at 10:40 p.m. to respond to the apartments on Yale Road and found a resident with a minor laceration to his head that he sustained after a brief struggle with one of the intruder, police said. The victim told police that two males dressed in black clothing with black masks covering their face entered his apartment. Both displayed a handgun and demanded money and valuables, police said. A struggle ensued and the victim was struck in the head with the firearm. The intruder then fired a round into the wall of the apartment, police said.   

Two Shot in Hartford Home Invasion - 11 Dec 2012

Two people were shot during a home invasion in the west end of Hartford late Monday night and police are looking for the shooter. Police responded to 1060 Capitol Avenue around 10:45 p.m. and found one man shot in the chest and another man shot in the leg. Police said the shooter broke in, ran up to the second floor and started shooting. One victim was shot twice and the other once. Whether they were the intended targets is not clear. Both victims were rushed to a local hospital. There is no word on their conditions. Children were in the building when the shooting happened, but they were not hurt. Police said the motive for the home invasion and shooting is not clear.

Police Charge Suspect in South Windsor Home Invasion, Sex Assault – 05 Dec 2012

South Windsor police have arrested a suspect in a home invasion and sex assault at a condominium on Chapel Road in October. Police said (suspect), 37, of 51 Oxford Drive in East Hartford, is accused of breaking into an acquaintance’s residence and committed a sexual assault. Police arrested (suspect) on a warrant at Manchester Superior Court on Tuesday. He was charged with home invasion, sexual assault in the first degree, unlawful restraint in the first degree, criminal violation of a protective order and risk of injury to a minor. 

Man tied up in Hampton home invasion - 29 Nov 2012              

Police are investigating a home invasion in Hampton. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, at 11 Bigelow Rd. Initial investigation determined that two males forced their way into the home, assaulted a male victim and tied him up. The two suspects stole a TV and other property from the home.

Police: Gunmen threatened baby in Stamford home invasion – 19 Nov 2012

Detectives arrested a 22-year-old city man and 16-year-old boy for allegedly invading a Hope Street apartment, with one of the gunmen accused of threatening a 4-month-old girl at gunpoint to spur the victims to turn over valuables. (Suspect) 22, of 56 Fox Glen Drive, and his accomplice, whose name was withheld because of his age, were charged in a warrant Saturday evening with home invasion, four counts of first-degree unlawful restraint, first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, risk of injury to a minor and conspiracy. Police responded to a call at 6:57 p.m. Friday about three armed men who invaded the apartment at 956 Hope St., according to Stamford Police. A resident, who shared the apartment with his wife and baby daughter, was lured outside, where he was beaten by three armed men, who then led him back to his home. The gunmen searched the apartment and forced the husband, wife and child, and two friends to get onto the floor. While the intruders searched for valuables, one of them grabbed the child and with a gun in his hand threatened to kill her if the victims didn't turn over their money. The men then fled the home with cash and jewelry, according to police.

Two arrested for Middlebury home invasion - 12 Oct 2012

Middlebury Police made two arrests in connection with a home invasion that happened in Middlebury. Police said a Naugatuck Fireman was on his way to work Thursday and saw a white van, with a Power Wash Logo, driving erratically. Following two good tips from the public, Middlebury Police worked with CT Parole Dept., CT Probation Dept., Waterbury Police Detective Devision, and Naugatuck Police to obtain an arrest warrant. (Female suspect), 24, of 255 North Main Street in Waterbury was charged in connection with the home invasion in Middlebury where two children encountered the suspects. When Middlebury Police reached out to area police departments they learned that 32-year-old (suspect), of 47 Irion St., Waterbury, was wanted for violation of parole for cutting his tracking bracelet off. (Suspect) was charged with home invasion, second-degree conspiracy to commit burglary, two counts of risk of injury to a minor, and sixth-degree conspiracy to commit larceny.

Man Shot Several Times During Home Invasion in Derby – 08 Oct 2012

The Derby Police Department is investigating a reported home invasion that sent one man to the hospital with gunshot wounds. Derby Police responded to Elizabeth Street around 10:20 p.m. on Saturday night and found a 52 year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was shot several times by multiple perpetrators who entered his residence, according to officials. The victim was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital and is listed in stable condition.

Man killed in Sharon home invasion - 7 Aug 2012 

SHARON -- A 23-year-old man was killed during an apparent home invasion Monday night, a State Police spokesman said. (Victim) was shot multiple times inside the home at 399 Cornwall Bridge, a single-family home that is well off the roadway in a rural section of town, police said. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman was also inside the house and was tied up, but not injured. She told police two armed men forced their way into the home. After they left, the woman, who has not been identified, called police, who arrived in minutes, police said.

Man Bound in New Canaan Home Invasion – 05 Aug 2012

New Canaan police say the perpetrators of a home invasion on Ponus Ridge late Saturday escaped as officers approached the home on a report of the incident in progress. No one was hurt in the home invasion, which was called in at about 10 p.m., according to police. Arriving at the home, police found a resident on the second floor with his hands and feet bound with rope. “According to the victim, the perpetrators fled the residence upon seeing the approach of New Canaan Police marked units,” police said in a statement to the press. The victim told police that there were at least two males who entered the home, both dressed in black, between 5'9" and 5'10" with a husky build. The perpetrators walked into the home through the front area, which was not locked, and, upon hearing noises, the homeowner went downstairs to discover the men in his house. There was a bit of a scuffle when the men tied up the homeowner, 52, who told police that he felt what he described as being a hard, metal object against the back of his head, said police. 

And then there is the most notorious home invasion in recent Connecticut history, the home invasion and multiple murders of the Petit family in Cheshire:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheshire,_Connecticut,_home_invasion_murders

If you want to get a sense of just how many “home invasion” reports there are, this will give you a good sense. The NBC site indicates there are over 500 results for “home invasion” since late 2008.

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/results/?keywords=%22home+invasion%22