RANDOLPH — An allegedly intoxicated Augusta man was arrested Friday after entering a stranger’s home during the wee hours, falling asleep inside and refusing the armed homeowner’s demands to leave, police said.
John Rastelli, 39, was charged with violating conditions of release and criminal trespassing, said Maine State Police Trooper Eric Verhille.
Rastelli was freed from the Kennebec County jail Friday on $100 cash bail.
Verhille declined to identify the mother and son who live at the home. Nobody was injured during the incident.
A Lincoln Street woman called police around 3 a.m. Friday after finding Rastelli asleep on a chair in her living room.
Police said Rastelli got into the house through an unlocked door.
“She said she thought she heard something,” Verhille said. “She went to investigate and found him in the living room.”
The 56-year-old woman tried to rouse Rastelli from his sleep.
“She nudged him to see who he was,” Verhille said. “She said afterwards she didn’t know what she was thinking.”
The woman ran downstairs to get her 34-year-old son, who also lives in the house. The son grabbed a gun and confronted Rastelli.
“He was trying to get Mr. Rastelli to leave,” Verhille said. “Rastelli was refusing. He was intoxicated. He thought he was at a friend’s residence.”
Verhille didn’t know what kind of gun the son held and said Rastelli did not threaten the homeowners.
“The confrontation was: he was repeatedly told to leave the residence and he refused,” Verhille said. “Rastelli thought he was at his friend’s house.”
Rastelli briefly argued the point with responding officer Verhille, who ordered Rastelli from the home. Rastelli was arrested without further incident.
Verhille said he has arrested would-be burglars who were held by the homeowners, but, “I don’t think I’ve had one quite like this. I think this might be a first.”
Craig Crosby–621-5642
ccrosby@centralmaine.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
