A Perry man was arrested Sunday after allegedly trying to break into the home of a woman for whom he threatened he “would make life hell.”
Joshua Allen Springer, 35, of 900 S.E. Crossings Lane, Perry, was charged with third-degree harassment, fifth-degree criminal mischief and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The incident began about 11:45 a.m. Sunday near the corner of W. Fifth and Park streets in Perry, where officers of the Perry Police Department saw a man “using a crowbar to force entry into the homeowner’s residence through the side door on the west side of the residence,” according to court records.
The officers made contact with Springer, who told the officers that “he did this because his key would not work” and that “he has lived here since December,” according to court records.
The officers made contact with the homeowner, who told the officers that “she has tried to help” Springer “and has allowed him to stay in the garage, which is detached from the residence,” according to court records.
The homeowner told the officers that “she received text messages that stated he ‘would make life hell’ and ‘had nothing to loose,'” according to court records. She told the officers that “she was scared due to the messages and forcing of the residential door.”
Drug paraphernalia was allegedly located in plain view in the garage where Springer was staying.
Springer was held in the Dallas County Jail in advance of an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
Springer was arrested in Woodward in December 2021 on a charge of assault causing bodily injury. The case is pending in Dallas County District Court. He was convicted of fourth-degree criminal mischief in 2018 in Polk County District Court. He was convicted of second-degree attempted burglary in 2015 in Warren County District Court. He was convicted of first-offense domestic abuse assault in 2015 in Warren County District Court. He was convicted of assault causing bodily injury in 2012 in Dallas County District Court. He was convicted of second-degree theft and third-degree burglary in 2005 in Dallas County District Court. He was convicted of third-degree burglary in 2005 in Hamilton County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
