NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The man accused of assaulting a custodian at Wintergreen Elementary School in Hamden is now in the custody of the New York Police Department.

The custodian went to the school after an alarm went off around 5 a.m. on Jan. 31. Police said that when the custodian got to the school, he found an unknown man, who had entered the school illegally.

The New York City Police Department notified the Hamden Police Department on Feb. 12 that they took Richards into custody on an arrest warrant obtained on Feb. 4, stemming from the assault at the school.

News 8 spoke to the custodian about the incident and how he’s looking ahead to the future.

Eddie Rogers is on the road to recovery after he was attacked by Richards.

“He punched me in the face, he broke my nose, broke my jaw, and apparently when I was unconscious, he picked me up and dropped me on my head,” Rogers said. “He stood over me, staring at me just to see if I was dead.”

Rogers says that day started off like any other. He was on his way to the school when he got a call from the alarm company.

“I got there, turned on all the lights and I walked back and I saw him laying on a gym mat,” Rogers said. “I said, ‘what are you doing here?’ And he said, ‘I live here.’ I said, ‘no you don’t’ and he said to me, ‘what are you doing here?’ I said, ‘I work here. I’m going to call the cops.’ I turned my back and he attacked me.”

After he was beaten unconscious, Rogers says his pockets were rifled through and the man took off with his wallet and truck, which has been found.

It’s believed that Richards broke into Wintergreen School again on Feb. 10.

Richards is being charged as a fugitive from justice by the New York Police Department, and the extradition process is underway.

“I was elated,” Rogers said. “I mean, because he has my license, he knows where I live, so I don’t want him coming here.”

Following the attack, Rogers says the support has been overwhelming and greatly appreciated. People have dropped off food, written cards and raised money on his behalf.

Slowly but surely he’s getting better and he says he’s looking forward to returning to work soon.

Once Richards returns to Connecticut, Hamden police said he would be charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, second and third-degree larceny, interfering with an emergency call, and illegally using a payment card. His bond will be set at $750,000.

Hamden police said Richards evaded several law enforcement agencies in pursuits between Hamden and New York over the last week.