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Cabbie charged in break-ins, batteringDec 04, 2010 (Florida Keys Keynoter - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- girlfriend's apartment early Wednesday morning while she dialed 911, battering her before he left, and then successfully breaking in before leaving again. Cab driver Richard Richardson, 30, is charged with two felony counts of burglary and one each of battery by strangulation, robbery and obstructing justice for tampering with the 911 call. He's also charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief and theft. City police officer Deglys Chavarria wrote in a report that he was called to 1110 White St. around 3:40 a.m. and met with Janna Clements, 25. She told him she was in her house sleeping when Richardson showed up pounding on the door, demanding to be let in. When she reportedly told Richardson she was calling 911, he walked toward the bathroom window, punched it out, reached inside and grabbed the phone. He started walking away, the report says, and Clements reportedly followed to try to get the phone back. That's when Richardson reportedly broke the phone in half and threw it at her, striking her chest. He then allegedly knocked her down and "held her while pushing on her throat." Someone approached and Richardson left. Chavarria says injuries were apparent to Clements' neck, left upper arm and elbow, and cheek. She declined medical help. After taking a report, Chavarria went back to the police station on North Roosevelt Boulevard. While there, "communications said Richardson returned to the house and went inside through the window." The officer returned and was told by Clements that she was again sleeping when Richardson got inside through the window he had busted earlier. She tried to block the bathroom door but he was able to push through, the report says. She began calling for help and Richardson left. She then went to Sandy's Cafe to call 911. About 5:30 a.m., four officers went to Richardson's Northside Drive apartment to find him. They did, and he reportedly said: "I know why you are here." At the police station, he reportedly said he went back the second time to give Clements a letter he wrote after leaving the first time. He was taken to the Monroe County Detention Center on Stock Island, where he was being held on $27,000 bond. To see more of the Keynoter, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.keysnet.com. Copyright (c) 2010, Florida Keys Keynoter, Marathon Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |