BRIDGEWATER — Two people have been charged after they allegedly assaulted a 64-year-old Bridgewater man and stole several items, including two guns, from his Stevens Road home on New Year’s Eve, according to Vermont State Police.
Orlando Cruz, 37, and Tessa Hazen, 36, were arrested by Rutland City police on Monday, state police said in a news release.
Police said Edwin O’Neil, of Stevens Road in Bridgewater, told troopers on Saturday afternoon that he had been struck several times with a hammer inside his home around midnight New Year’s Eve and that Hazen, whom he knew, and Cruz took two firearms, his wallet, a cell phone and two air guns, the release said. Three tires on his vehicle were also slashed, the release said.
Cruz pleaded not guilty Monday in Vermont Superior Court in White River Junction to assault and robbery with injury, burglary of an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful mischief and interference with access to emergency services. He was ordered held without bail and is in the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility.
Hazen pleaded not guilty to being an accessory aiding in the commission of an assault and robbery with a weapon and burglary of an occupied dwelling and was released on a $5,000 unsecured appearance bond.