MESA, Ariz. (AP) - Mesa police say they have arrested a man accused of forcing his way into several women’s homes and physically assaulting one victim.
Authorities said Monday that 18-year-old Darrus Love Bracewell was booked on armed burglary and robbery-related charges. He is also facing two counts of aggravated assault against detention officers.
According to police, Bracewell is accused of forcibly gaining entry into four different homes. Investigators say a man threatened a woman and her 8-year-old daughter with a screwdriver on Dec. 10 at their apartment. Police say the man demanded money and punched the woman in the face several times and fled.
Three more burglaries under similar circumstances were reported last week. One was in the same building as the December incident.
Police say they were able to get video of the suspect from a doorbell camera at the most recent incident and make it public. A tip led police to identify the suspect as Bracewell. His family then identified him.
Officers located him Sunday and he was subsequently arrested. Investigators are looking into whether Bracewell has a history of being mentally disturbed.
It was not immediately known Monday if he had an attorney.
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