PORTSMOUTH — A Maine man was arrested early Sunday morning after he allegedly broke into a city home, assaulted a man and a woman, and “struck their dog with a club or pipe,” according to police.
Arrested was Terrence W. Hartley, 47, of 179 Tardiff Road, Clinton, Maine, on numerous felony charges in connection with the home invasion in the city’s Maple Haven neighborhood, including one felony count of burglary, five felony counts of first-degree assault, one felony count of possession of a controlled drug (cocaine) and one misdemeanor count of cruelty to animals, according to police.
Deputy Police Chief Corey MacDonald said Sunday night that the incident was not a random act.
“I can’t release anything about motive, but as far as the public’s need to be concerned that this was a random event, I don’t believe that’s the case,” MacDonald said.
The deputy chief said the victims were known by Hartley at some point.
MacDonald said it was “very unusual” for a home invasion to occur in the city.
“We’re a safe community and we’re not going to tolerate home invasions here,” MacDonald said. “We’re going to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”
Hartley allegedly broke into the home through the back door and assaulted the two victims, who were treated for their injuries at Portsmouth Regional Hospital and were later released.
“I would say the injuries were significant, which is why he’s been charged with five counts of first-degree assault,” MacDonald said. “They were done with the weapon.”
Police arrested Hartley near the scene of the home invasion, according to a prepared statement by police.
About 10 officers responded to the scene after police were called, MacDonald said, including detectives, the department’s K-9 unit, numerous officers, and a crime scene team to collect physical evidence.
Police did a general canvass of the neighborhood, spotted Hartley and arrested him without incident, MacDonald said.
“We’re very proud of the officers and the detective who responded,” MacDonald said. “They worked fast, they worked very cohesively, they got the victims the help they needed and they arrested the person we believe is responsible.”
He also praised city firefighters for helping to treat the victim’s injuries.
MacDonald said the dog is also recovering from his injuries after receiving veterinary care.
As per a report by Bail Bonds Digest news, Hartley was held on $125,000 cash bail and is scheduled to be arraigned today in Portsmouth District Court.
MacDonald said he plans to talk to the prosecutor this morning and expects the prosecutor to ask for bail in the $125,000-$150,000 range.
Hartley is also a registered sex offender, according to the Maine Sex Offender Registry.
Hartley was convicted on two counts of unlawful sexual contact in 1994 in cases filed in Augusta Superior Court, according to the registry Web site.
Police are asking people with any information about this incident to call detective Adam Kozlowski at 610-7538.
People can also contact Seacoast Crime Stoppers by leaving an anonymous tip at 431-1199 or atwww.seacoastcrimestoppers.org. Tips can also be texted to CRIMES (274637) with the letters “TIPSCS.” If a tip leads to an arrest or indictment of the individual, a reward of as much as $1,000 may be given.
