Man Tries to Choke West Haven Resident During Burglary

A man and two women assaulted a woman during a break-in at her Highland Street apartment in West Haven on Sunday and fled the scene, police said.

Police arrested Eric Boone, 48, of West Haven, Lashell O. Sellers, 41, of New Haven, and Virginia Rodriguez, 57, of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, on multiple charges including burglary.

The three suspects forced entry into a woman's home on Sunday by kicking down her front door to steal from her, police said. The woman told police that one of the people, who she identified as "Eric," grabbed her neck and tried to choke her while the two female suspects hit her. Then, all three went through her drawers, stole her wallet and $200 in cash and fled in a red pickup truck, police said.

Police identified the man they say tried to strangle the woman as Boone and apprehended him near his home. Police found Boone with Lashell Sellers and Virginia Rodriguez, and the victim identified all three of them as the people who had broken into her house and stolen from her, police said.

Police recovered the victim's stolen wallet and took photos of her damaged front door.

Officers charged Boone with second-degree unlawful restraint, fifth-degree larceny, third-degree assault, second-degree burglary and third-degree criminal mischief.

Rodriguez is charged with second-degree burglary, third-degree assault, disorderly conduct and sixth-degree larceny and Sellers is facing second-degree burglary charges.

All three are scheduled to appear in Milford Superior Court on Tuesday.

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