Latest news with #Kolenda
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
CT man accused of holding woman at knifepoint, sexually assaulting her in Easton
Police have arrested a man accused of holding a woman against her will at knifepoint and allegedly sexually assaulting her before dropping her off on a dead-end road in Easton — an incident similar to one reported last week that investigators believe is connected to the same suspect. Joseph Kolenda, 64, of Fairfield was arrested Monday around 6:15 p.m. after being located by members of the Fairfield Police Department, according to the Easton Police Department. Easton police held a warrant for his arrest on charges of third-degree sexual assault and second-degree robbery. According to police, the charges stem from an incident on Nov. 14, 2024, when a local resident called authorities just after 10:30 a.m. and said a woman who could not speak English was knocking on their door and asking for help. Police said the woman claimed that she was held against her will at knifepoint and sexually assaulted. She also alleged that her phone was stolen and that she was dropped off at the end of Riverside Drive. According to police, the woman alleged that she had been picked up in Bridgeport by a male who said he had work for her cleaning houses. The woman was allegedly able to fight off the attacker and was able to escape, police said. Following his arrest, Kolenda was held on a $100,000 bond and was expected to be arraigned on Tuesday in Bridgeport Superior Court. Police said they are also investigating a similar incident reported on March 25 that they believe is linked to Kolenda. Around 10 a.m., police received a 911 call from a woman who claimed that she had been held against her will, assaulted and dropped at the intersection of Morehouse Road and Reilly Road. The alleged victim, through a translator, told authorities she was picked up in Bridgeport under the guise that she would be cleaning a house, according to police. The driver, a male, drove her around for some time and then allegedly attempted to sexually assault her, police said. The woman said she was able to take a picture of the license plate on the vehicle before she escaped. She was taken to an area hospital to be evaluated for minor injuries. Police said they were assisted by Fairfield investigators and were able to link Kolenda to the incident. Investigators said they are still 'processing evidence' to make an arrest in the second incident and are also working with other police departments to see if similar incidents in the area could also be tied to Kolenda. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Easton Police Department at 203-268-4111 or Klyman@
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
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. Man sentenced in 2022 death of tow truck driver in North Haven 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
