That stranger knocking on your door might not just be a harmless door-to-door salesman.  

Three people in Middletown, Conn., just blocks away from Wesleyan University, recently became the victims of a horrible attack after they simply opened the door to their apartment to the wrong people.  

Their accused assailants, five armed and masked men in their early 20s, had been knocking on doors around the apartment complex, and when their soon-to-be victims made the mistake of answering the door, the perpetrators forced their way in, zip-tying and beating the victims, before ransacking the apartment and stealing jewelry, valuables, and a firearm. 

Help is Available 

If you have been accused of committing robbery, assault, or another crime, you need to speak with an experienced lawyer before you talk to the police. The Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team can help. Call us at 888-535-3686 today or contact us online. 

Help From a Neighbor 

Fortunately, an observant neighbor saw the masked men approach and force their way into the apartment. Upon hearing yelling and screaming, that neighbor called the police.   

Police arrived at the apartment while the alleged assailants were still on the scene, spurring four of the five men to flee in a vehicle while the fifth fled on foot. By the time police arrived, two of the victims had already managed to free themselves.  

Police officers pursued the vehicle, and the accused robbers' car collided with another vehicle and then with a guard rail. The four men then got out of the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. One of them was chased down by a police dog, and the other three were apprehended by police officers. The fifth man, who initially fled on foot, was also apprehended by police.  

The five men, Angel Fragoso, 22; Mykev Speights, 22; Jordan McNeill, 19; Angel Martinez, 25; and Dietrich Williams, 20, have been charged with kidnapping, assault, robbery, larceny, criminal mischief, and weapons possession and are each being held on $1 million bonds.  

Sometimes violent crimes, like this one, are simply crimes of opportunity. Individuals see a chance to commit a crime and either elect to act violently or the circumstances snowball into violence. In these instances, the perpetrators may not have set out to hurt someone but rather acted in the heat of the moment.  

No victim of a crime should ever be blamed for what happened to them, but there are steps everyone can take to minimize the likelihood that they will be the victim of a crime. Factors such as inadequate security measures, poorly lit areas, or secluded locations can make it easier for crimes of opportunity to occur. By adding security measures and avoiding areas that lack those measures, individuals are less likely to become victims.  

These victims likely would have avoided the attack if they had simply not opened the door. You shouldn't open the door for someone you don't know, period. Even if you're expecting a delivery, unless you need to sign for it, let the delivery person leave the package and then open the door after they're gone.  

If you have been accused of committing a crime of opportunity, violent crime, or any other offense, call the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online. We'll help you understand the decisions and options ahead of you and help you get the best possible outcome.