Police: Naked man breaks into nursing center, assaults residents
KIS LYN – A man is in Luzerne County Prison, accused of breaking into a senior living center while naked, assaulting residents, before becoming barricaded in the laundry room.
Zane Brobst, 35, of Drums, is facing felony counts of burglary, aggravated assault, and criminal trespass for the incident.
According to Butler Township (Luzerne County) Police, officers were called late Sunday to the Fritzingertown Senior Living Community in the 100 block of South Old Turnpike Road just before midnight for a report of a naked intruder.
Brobst, police said, was found barricaded in the laundry room.
Police said he is accused of breaking into the 160+ bed assisting living and memory care facility. He allegedly, police said, broke into a private apartment and assaulted an 87-year-old woman inside. She was seriously injured and taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital – Hazleton and transferred to Cedar Crest, police said.
Brobst, police said, was confronted by staff and a neighbor, striking both a staff member and a 76-year-old neighbor.
He then fled down the hallway, breaking into another apartment and unsuccessfully trying to hide under the bed, police alleged, and broke into at least two other rooms.
Staff then managed to barricade him in the laundry room until police arrived.
Officers said he showed signs of drug impairment and, at his home in Drums, another person was experiencing a similar episode and was taken to an area hospital.
Brobst was arraigned on felony charges of aggravated assault, burglary, and criminal trespass along with misdemeanor counts of simple assault, strangulation, indecent exposure, and loitering at nighttime. More charges may be filed, police said.
He was committed to Luzerne County Prison, unable to post $30,000 bail.
State troopers assisted and EMS agencies from LVHN, Valley Regional, Dorrance, and Freeland all responded.
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