Police have arrested a man who allegedly spent weeks hiding out in his ex-girlfriend’s attic in Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood.
The woman discovered Cary Cocuzzi, 31, in her bedroom Saturday, according to an affidavit filed against him.
She had a protection from abuse order against Cocuzzi and told police he has tried to sexually assault her in the past.
Before Saturday, the woman had noticed odd details around her home. Someone had left the toilet seat up, and she found a blanket lying on the floor where she had not left it, according to police.
She heard a noise upstairs Saturday morning and thought it was her cat, she told police.
She went upstairs to check and found Cocuzzi standing in her bedroom, the affidavit said.
He allegedly grabbed her and put a hand over her mouth. She pushed him away and ran outside screaming, the affidavit said.
Multiple neighbors called 911. Police arrived shortly before noon and found the woman standing outside. They shouted warnings into the house, with no response, the affidavit said.
When police searched the house they found Cocuzzi hiding under clothes and furniture, the affidavit said.
He told police he was homeless and had been sneaking in and out of the house for about two weeks. He used an unlocked side door to come and go and slept in the attic.
He is charged with burglary and unlawful restraint.
