Drunken man invades home, falls 35 feet

BRANFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- A drunken man was charged with home invasion after he entered a home late Saturday evening, police say.

Michael Stokes, 20, was arrested shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday after he entered a home on Harbor Street. The residence was occupied by a 77-year old woman and her 10-year old grandson.

Officers say Stokes was found lying on the ground, outside of the home, injured from an apparent 35 to 40-foot fall, as he fell off a second floor balcony.

Detectives determined that Stokes had been drinking prior to entering the home through a locked door. He proceeded to break items on the first floor, prompting the woman and grandson on the second floor to hide.

Fearing for their safety, the two residents fled from the home. At that time, Stokes entered the balcony, where the residents had been hiding, and he fell to the ground shortly thereafter.

Stokes was charged with home invasion, criminal mischief, risk of injury to a minor, breach of peace and reckless endangerment. He was treated for his injuries at Branford Fire Department.

He is being held on a $200,000 bond. He will be arraigned in court once he is released from treatment.