Bridgeport man arrested after shooting burglar

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A city resident who shot a man breaking into his van is now under arrest.

George Berry, 30, was charged Tuesday with first-degree assault and attempted first-degree assault after shooting 27-year-old Nicholas Aviles, a career burglar, in the face.

Berry was released after posting $7,500 bond.

In the early morning of Dec. 16, police responded to Mill Hill Avenue to investigate a burglary complaint.

Berry told officers he had awoken shortly before 3 a.m. by the sound of what he thought was food burning in a crock pot.

After checking the crock pot, Berry looked out the window and saw a man breaking into Berry’s work van parked on the street, police said. A car that Berry didn’t recognize was parked in the driveway.

Police said Berry told them he grabbed his .38-caliber handgun, which he has a permit to use, and ran outside. Berry said the burglar, who was carrying Berry’s tool box, turned toward him in a threatening manner, so Berry fired four shots at him.

The man then ran off, police said.

Soon after, the man, later identified as Aviles, returned to get the rental car that he left parked in the driveway, police said. Berry began shooting at him again, striking the car and wounding Aviles in the face as Aviles drove off, police said.

Officers later picked up Aviles on outstanding warrants and, noticing he had a bullet wound in his face, realized he had been the one shot by Berry, police said.

Police said Aviles admitted to being shot by Berry while stealing the tool box from the van. But he denied doing anything threatening to Berry and said he wanted to press charges against him.