Norwalk man charged with assault and trespass in two separate incidents

NORWALK — A Norwalk man with an extensive criminal history was charged in two separate incidents on Tuesday after police say he was found hiding in the ceiling at his former job.

In the first incident, police were dispatched to a Westport Avenue pet supply store, where it was reported that former employee Daniel Bassett had entered the store and was loitering while apparently intoxicated.

Police were called, and before officers arrived at the scene, Bassett reportedly went to an adjacent business and made his way to the ceiling area above the pet supply store. Store employees reported they saw Bassett’s foot dangling through the ceiling. Employees told police he then climbed down from the ceiling and casually walked out of the store.

Later in the day, police were dispatched to Bassett’s home where one of his roommates told police that Bassett had assaulted him following an argument about the roommate having used his butter.

The roommate told police that Bassett was angry, and punched him in the chest. The roommate requested medical attention.

Bassett, 33, of County Street, was charged with third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree criminal trespass, third-degree assault and second-degree threatening.

He was issued a $5,000 bond and given a court date of July 29.

Bassett’s criminal history includes a 2011 conviction for third-degree burglary for which he was sentenced to two years in prison, a 2014 conviction for strangulation, and attempt to commit third-degree burglary and violation of probation, for which he was sentenced to 21 months in prison in September 2014.