A city man faces several charges after police say he forced his way into an apartment on Garfield Avenue with a piece of metal "rebar" and struggled with the residents.
Hector Ortega, 30, of no certain address, was arrested after the incident and charged with home invasion, first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, carrying a dangerous weapon, second-degree reckless endangerment, and second-degree criminal mischief.
According to Deputy Chief Peter Reichard, police received a 911 call at 6:49 p.m. from a female resident of the first-floor apartment at 49 Garfield Ave. saying there was an unknown man in the apartment. Police responded and saw Ortega walking away from the apartment, and arrested him without incident.
In a news release, Reichard said Ortega knocked on the apartment door and when a resident opened the door he forced himself inside. Police said Ortega was wearing his hat pulled low and was carrying a piece of metal rebar, and he struggled with one of the residents, causing minor injuries.
Ortega is being held on $100,000 bond pending his arraignment on Tuesday, Feb. 19.
Anyone who has information on this incident should contact the New London Police Department at 860-447-5269.
