A 26-year-old Scranton man attempted to break into his ex-girlfriend’s residence a day after he attacked her, police said.
During a Monday assault, Brandon Gadsden hit his ex in the head with a hammer, sending her to the hospital, where she required stiches, according to a criminal complaint.
In spite of aggravated assault charges he faced in the first incident, Gadsden returned to her house Tuesday and attempted to break in.
At about 11 p.m., police responded to the report of the break-in at the Jackson Street residence.
As officers spoke with Janae Norton, the victim, they spotted damage to the door frame and boot marks, consistent with an attempt to break in to the apartment.
Norton said Gadsden kicked in her back door. She told officers he had been arrested the previous day for hitting her in the head with a hammer.
Officers confirmed Gadsden had been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a deadly weapon for the previous incident.
They noted Norton had visible injuries, with staples and dried blood on the side of her head from her recent medical treatment.
Norton turned over the hammer used in the prior assault, as well as a blanket belonging to Gadsden that was caught on the doorknob as he fled, according to the complaint.
She told officers Gadsden had kicked open the door. When she yelled that she was calling police, he ran, according to the complaint.
Officers found Gadsden at the Turkey Hill on Meridian Avenue and arrested him.
Gadsden faces charges of criminal trespass, loitering and criminal mischief, in addition to previous charges of aggravated assault and simple assault with a deadly weapon.
He remains at the Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on June 1 before District Judge Sean Gallagher.