CORTLAND, NY — A 26-year-old man was arrested following a domestic incident in which he allegedly entered an apartment through a window and assaulted a woman while children were present.
Hakeem A. Jones, of Cortland, was taken into custody May 1 by the Cortland County Sheriff’s Department and turned over to Cortland police.
The incident occurred April 30 on Northcliffe Court in the city of Cortland.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., officers responded to a 911 call reporting that a male suspect had unlawfully entered an apartment and assaulted a female resident.
The caller told dispatch that she and three children had barricaded themselves inside a bathroom while awaiting police arrival.
Officers arrived and established a perimeter around the residence.
Police conducted a search of the apartment after discovering that a rear door was unsecured.
Officers cleared the residence and determined the suspect had fled prior to their arrival.
Jones allegedly entered the apartment without permission through an unlocked kitchen window.
A verbal dispute between Jones and the victim reportedly escalated into a physical altercation inside the residence while multiple children were present.
Household property was reportedly damaged during the incident.
The victim sustained minor injuries and was evaluated by emergency medical personnel at the scene.
Police confirmed that Jones was subject to a valid stay-away Order of Protection at the time of the incident.
Officers searched the surrounding area but were initially unable to locate Jones.
An arrest warrant was issued.
Jones was charged with burglary in the second degree, criminal contempt in the first degree, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, harassment in the second degree and criminal mischief in the fourth degree.
Jones was arraigned in Cortland City Court, where bail was set.
He was ordered to appear in Cortland City Court on May 15.
