SKOWHEGAN — A man once described by a district attorney as “creepy” for twice breaking into homes and standing over women he thought were sleeping was arrested Wednesday in Skowhegan for allegedly doing the same thing.

Douglas A. DeWalt, 46, of Skowhegan, was charged with aggravated criminal trespass for allegedly entering a woman’s home near Jewett and Chandler streets through an unlocked door about 3:20 a.m. and standing over her bed, Police Chief Ted Blais said Thursday.

DeWalt, who made his initial court appearance Wednesday, had been out of prison only five months for convictions on identical charges.

This time, Blais said, the woman chased the intruder while dialing 911.

Two police officers were nearby and arrested DeWalt, the police chief said.

Sgt. Joel Cummings and Officer Billie Martin were in the area within a minute of the 911 call, Blais said.

A police affidavit filed by Cummings said DeWalt had a knife with him and turned it over to police when he was arrested.

DeWalt was sentenced to five years in prison for burglaries in February 2010, one of which involved him standing over the bed of a woman in Skowhegan whom he thought was asleep.

DeWalt had been out of prison only a short time in 2009 for previous burglary convictions, one involving him entering a home in Winslow in 2005 and fondling the leg of a sleeping woman.

Blais said his records indicate that DeWalt had served his time in prison and is not on probation.

Scott Fish, director of special projects at the Maine Department of Corrections, said DeWalt was released frm prison Nov. 8.

Blais said Wednesday’s intrusion appeared to have been a random act against a woman the intruder did not know. DeWalt lives just a few blocks away on Dawes Street.

He did not touch the woman, Blais said.

DeWalt was being held at the Somerset County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bond or $50,000 worth of property. The charge against DeWalt is a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

He has a conference date in court May 21. A trial date has been set for Aug. 4.

Blais said the newest charge against DeWalt shows a pattern of behavior that is disturbing, and said it highlights of the importance of homeowners locking their doors at night.

“This is extremely scary – this could be your wife, your daughter, it could be anybody,” Blais said. “You want to feel safe in your home; you want to feel safe while you’re sleeping and to violate that is just very creepy.”

Doug Harlow – 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @Doug_Harlow

 

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