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04/03/2020 12:00 AMA fast police response led to the arrest of four men involved in a violent Branford home invasion April 1. The attack appeared to be targeted to an individual in the home and was not random, police said.
Officers caught the four men in a vehicle which fled from The Commons condominiums on Hamre Lane, shortly after a victim called police at 1:40 p.m. to report her son had been assaulted with a baseball bat by two masked men who broke in to her home. The caller reported she was shoved by the two men as they fled the scene and drove off in an awaiting vehicle.
Officers stopped the vehicle in the vicinity of the home assault. Police arrested David Maher, 23, of East Haven; Angel Dejesus, 20, of Branford; both of who were allegedly involved in the assault; as well as arresting Dominic Norton, 19, of East Haven and Matthew Barstow, 24, of Meriden; who police said were present in the vehicle and knowingly involved in the plan to assault the victim. In a statement issued by Branford Police, the department assured the public that, "...this attack was not random and there is no additional threat to the public," while also noting, "...all individuals associated with this incident were arrested. Maher was known to the victims in this case."
The victim struck by the bat suffered physical injuries and was transported to Yale New Haven hospital for treatment, according to police.
Maher was charged with Home Invasion, Assualt 2nd Degree, Assault 3rd Degree, Threatening 2nd Degree, Breach of Peace and Weapons in a Motor Vehicle. Dejesus was charged with Home Invasion, Assault 2nd Degree, Breach of Peace and Weapons in a Motor Vehicle. Norton was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Home Invasion, Breach of Peace and Weapons in a Motor Vehicle. Barstow was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Home Invasion, Breach of Peace and Weapons in a Motor Vehicle.
The police statement regarding the incident also noted that, "...despite the uncertainties faced by first responders during this COVID-19 crisis members of the Branford Police and Fire Departments will continue to quickly respond to these emergencies."