A Scranton man broke into his neighbor’s apartment and then punched out his own window to make it seem like someone had also broken into his apartment, according to a criminal complaint.
Michael Ashton, 43, of 703 Smith St., Apt. 1, faces felony charges of burglary and criminal trespass.
According to the criminal complaint:
Police responded to the Smith Street address at about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday for the report of a man, later identified as Ashton, who broke into a neighbor’s apartment while she was away.
Officers responding to the scene noted Ashton’s hand was bleeding and asked him why he punched out his own window.
Ashton said he was “just angry.”
Police called emergency medical services to the scene to treat Ashton’s hand.
Officers then spoke with Cindy Rieder, who said she hadn’t been at her residence since June 13. When she returned, the door was off the hinges and her television and two fans were missing, Rieder said.
Rieder told police Ashton was the only one who had access to her apartment because both of their apartments are off a main hallway and both have keys to that hallway.
Ashton gave officers permission to search his residence.
When police entered his living room they spotted a black fan that Rieder said belonged to her.
Ashton then admitted to officers he took the fan.
After being read his Miranda warnings, Ashton admitted he took one of the fans before July 4 because it had been extremely hot.
He said Rieder’s door was already off its hinges before he entered it.
He said he hadn’t taken Rieder’s television but was willing to give her his.
Rieder told police Ashton had also been using her refrigerator and had placed a six-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer in her freezer.
She told officers she had never given Ashton permission to go into her apartment or to use her refrigerator.
Ashton remains in Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $20,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. July 23 before District Judge Christopher J. Szewczyk.