FARMINGTON -- Police said they arrested a man after he beat a woman to make her stop talking.
Police said they went to 67 Sunset Terrace in Farmington at around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday after Richard Skenderian called 911. When they arrived, they found Skenderian visibly upset and covered in blood, according to police. Skenderian told police he punching the woman to make her stop talking.
“There had been some type of dispute or an argument and he made a statement about wanting to shut her up,” said Lt. Patrick Buckley, Farmington Police Department.
Police said they found a 75-year-old woman lying on a mattress in the basement and said she had been severely beaten.
The victim was taken to St. Francis Hospital with critical injuries and her identity is not being disclosed as this was a family violence crime, according to police.
One man who has lived in the Sunset Terrace neighborhood for close to 35 years said he is shocked.
“It just doesn’t happen here,” said Don Powers of Farmington.
While Powers said he did not know the woman personally, he said he would greet her from time to time and called her a friendly woman who kept to herself.
“Everyone looks out for each other. As far as the houses, it’s a good crime watch street,” added Powers.
FOX 61 saw a family member enter the house but they refused to comment on camera.
Skenderian was charged with first-degree assault, first-degree assault of an elderly, blind, disabled, intellectually disabled, or pregnant person, and first-degree abuse of persons. He was held on $500,000 bail and appeared in court Friday morning.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.