Man accused of picking up people for house cleaning and sexually assaulting them in Easton
EASTON, Conn. (WTNH) — A man accused of picking up two people on separate occasions for house cleaning services and sexually assaulting them in Easton is facing charges, police said.
According to police, on Nov. 14, 2024, around 10:31 a.m., Easton police received a call from a homeowner saying that a person who did not speak English was knocking on their door for help. The victim reported they were held against their will at knife point, their phone was stolen and they were dropped off at Riverside Drive, a dead-end street.
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The victim told police they were allegedly picked up by a man who said he had work cleaning houses, police said. The victim fought off the attacker and escaped, according to authorities.
In another instance, on March 25, around 10:00 a.m., police reported receiving a call about a person who said they were held against their will, assaulted and dropped off at an intersection of Morehouse Road and Reilly Road. The victim told police they were picked up in Bridgeport to clean a house, authorities said.
Police said the victim was driven around for some time before the suspect tried to sexually assault them.
The victim took a photo of the car's license plate, according to police. They were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, police said.
Evidence in both cases linked to Joseph Kolenda, 64, of Fairfield, police said.
Kolenda was arrested on March 31 on an active arrest warrant by Easton police for the Nov. 14, 2024, incident. He was charged with sexual assault in the third degree and robbery in the second degree.
He was set at a $100,000 bond and was arraigned on April 1. He remains in custody.
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The Hill
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- The Hill
UK to hold national inquiry into organized child sexual abuse after pressure from Musk
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Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
UK to hold national inquiry into organized child sexual abuse after pressure from Musk
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