Vernon Police Release Images Associated With January Home Invasion, Ask for Help With the Investigation

Vernon police are still on the lookout for a suspect involved in a home invasion and assault last month at a local condominium complex and they are asking the public to get involved with the investigation.

Police have released photos of three items associated with evidence left behind at the scene in an effort to identify the suspect.

Police are describing the home invasion, which took place at about 2:20 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, at Courtside Condominiums, 242 Talcottville Rd., as "sexually motivated."

The original news release on the incident said a resident woke up to find a man in the unit and the man fled after a brief struggle.

The suspect is being described by police as a man between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-9 with a medium to thin build.

As part of their ongoing investigation, Vernon detectives have released images of the following items associated with evidence left behind at the scene:

• A 21-inch silver-colored link necklace.

• An And1 sneaker logo. The suspect was thought to have been wearing an older pair of the brand. And1 was popular in the early 2000s, when it was endorsed by former NBA player Latrell Sprewell when he played for the New York Knickerbockers.

• A black women's blouse about 24 inches long with black tassels hanging down from the collar and shoulder pads. The suspect left it behind at the scene, police said.

"We believe someone in the community community will be able to identify them," Det. James Grady said. "We are appealing to anyone with information to come forward."

Police said the suspect normal wore the necklace and sneakers.

"The offender's whereabouts would have been unaccounted for late Friday, Jan. 20 into the morning of Saturday, Jan. 21, which was the morning of the last snowstorm," Grady said. "The person responsible may have been familiar with this area of Talcottville Road and the residential neighborhood behind and around it."

Police said they are seeking information from anyone who knows a man matching the description who also regularly wore And1 sneakers and who used to wear a necklace like the one described. Police said anyone with information can call 860-872-9126 and ask for the detective division.

"The public should note that people who may know this suspect may not believe that he is capable of committing a crime such as this," Grady said. "The person responsible may not necessarily have a violent criminal history."

Police said they are not ruling out any connection with a series of assaults in the area linked to the same person a few years back in Vernon and Manchester.

"Everything is on the table," Grady said.