Man Charged With Home Invasion, Strangulation: Bethel Police

BETHEL, CT — A Danbury man is facing home invasion and strangulation charges after police say he broke into a woman's home and attacked her.

Jose M. Espinal, 62, came into the Bethel home of a 53-year-old woman around 6:30 Tuesday morning and attacked her as she came out of the bathroom, the woman told police. Espinal, identified as an acquaintance of the woman, struck her in the head, and "began to twist her head to one side at which point she lost consciousness," according to the police report.

When the victim regained consciousness, Espinal was gone, and the woman called 911.

During the course of the investigation, Bethel Police learned that Espinal was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Trumbull after the alleged assault and was being detained by Trumbull Police at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport.

Bethel Police placed Espinal under arrest at the hospital, where he remained under medical care and supervision while in police custody.

Police charged Espinal was with first-degree burglary, home invasion, second-degree strangulation, second-degree assault, and criminal attempt at first-degree assault. He is being held on $250,000 bond.