STAFFORD SPRINGS - A violent home invasion leaves a neighborhood shaken.
“We don’t need it. We don’t want it,” said Jennifer Taylor.
Taylor was upset by the events that occurred at her neighbor’s house Sunday afternoon. Her mother and sister were home when the home invasion happened next door.
“It’s upsetting because that kind of thing usually doesn’t happen around this area,” said Taylor.
According to a police affidavit, 25-year-old Juan Serrano of Hartford arrived unannounced to the residence at 5 Tetrault Rd entering through the unlocked front door. Serrano would head to the bedroom to confront his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend.
According to arrest documents, Serrano would strike the victim Steven Reel multiple times. He’d then turn his attention to his ex-girlfriend striking her and throwing her onto the bed. He then tries to pull her pants off but is unsuccessful. That’s when he grabs her to drag her out of the house.
Serrano was seen pulling the victim by her waistband up and down the street shouting at neighbors.
“He started yelling at my mom and my sister ‘this is my girlfriend, this is my girlfriend,’” said Taylor. “They started hearing screaming. She was screaming pretty, badly.”
Taylor’s mother would call police. She says she saw Serrano force the victim into his car. The affidavit states Serrano activated the child locks preventing her from escaping. Troopers were on scene not long after the call pulling over the car.
The Affidavit says Serrano admitted, without questioning, that “he did it” and that he intended to drive the victim back to her home in Hartford where they both live with the victim’s mother. The two also worked together.
The home on Tetrault Rd is owned by Reel’s father. Neighbors describe them both as good, quiet people and great neighbors. They are shaken by the entire ordeal.
“The idea that more trouble may follow behind, it’s just worrying with a small child around,” said Taylor. “We don’t need that around here.”
Serrano is facing a long list of charges that include two counts of third-degree Assault, Kidnapping and Sexual Assault. He was arraigned in court and is being held on $100,000 bond.