On January 5, 2022

Bridgewater resident robbed, hit with hammer on New Year’s Day

A woman and her boyfriend were arrested after they broke into a Bridgewater residence around 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 1, struck a man with a hammer, slashed his tires, and stole multiple items.

Police said Edwin O’Neil, 64, was hit “multiple times” with a hammer inside his home by Orlando Cruz, 37. Cruz and his girlfriend, Tessa Haven, 36, also slashed three of O’Neil’s car tires and stole two firearms, a wallet, a cell phone and two air guns from his home on Stevens Road.

Cruz and Haven were arrested by the Rutland City Police Department two days later, on Jan. 3. Police said O’Neil knew Hazen and Cruz. Neither of them have a permanent address.

Both are being held at Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility. Cruz is being held for lack of $50,000 bail and is charged with assault and robbery with injury, burglary of an occupied dwelling, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful mischief, and interference with access to emergency services. Hazen is being held for lack of $30,000 bail and is charged with assault and robbery as well as burglary of an occupied dwelling.

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