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On the night of Thursday, Feb. 9 police were sent to an apartment at 110 Towne St. on a report of a woman screaming for help. Officers received no answer at the doors and numerous attempts to contact the resident were unsuccessful, police said. They eventually were able to gain entry into the apartment and found a distraught woman crying, police said.
She said that her ex-boyfriend had come and flipped out, thrown things around the apartment and threatened to kill her pet rabbit, police said. She showed officers video of him which corroborated her account and showed that he grabbed the rabbit and threatened to kill it, according to police reports.
The suspect was identified as 33-year-old Andrew Walsh and it was discovered that there is a valid protective order that says he is not to have any contact with the victim, police said.
The woman told police that Walsh had left the residence but attempted to regain entry by kicking on the door before police arrived.
Officers canvassed the area but were unable to locate Walsh that night. Officer Christopher Festa took the lead on the investigation and were able to craft an arrest warrant within a few hours. Working with the SPD Special Victims Unit, the warrant was submitted and returned this week.
Festa contacted Walsh, who agreed to turn himself in. He was charged Friday with violation of a protective order, third-degree criminal mischief, and disorderly conduct. A $15,000 court set bond was levied.
"Nice job by Officer Festa by following up so quickly and putting the victims fears at ease," Stamford police said in a statement. "We would like the public and domestic violence suspects know that the SPD takes domestic violence seriously and that we enforce all protective and restraining orders that are issued by the court. If it is reported that you are in violation of a protective/restraining order it will be investigated and if an arrest is not made on sight an arrest warrant will be completed."Click here to follow Daily Voice Stamford and receive free news updates.
