A Newnan handyman, identified as Anthony Mark Chase, 54, landed in cuffs after a former client's historic home was turned into the scene of an early morning, wine-involving break-in. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the startled homeowners awoke to crashing noises before sunrise on January 8 and found Chase, bottle in hand, ascending their stairs. Chase faces charges of burglary and causing over $1,000 of damage to the property.
Details of the bizarre incident emerged as the homeowners confronted the intruder who was previously acquainted with the lay of the land, seeing as he had worked on their residence through the Coweta County work release program. The encounter was confirmed by body camera footage which caught the homeowner ushering Chase and his vino out of the shattered front door, "The individual had previously done some work in the home," Det. Dalton Taylor told FOX 5 Atlanta.
Upon arrival, Newnan police discovered the aftermath of what seemed like a desperate act. A posted WSB-TV report detailed how officers found the broken window and Chase being pushed out of the doorway. "The individual had previously done some work in the home," recounted Det. Taylor.
The homeowners' ordeal began with a loud noise that interrupted their slumber. Upon investigation, the husband met with a wine-claspng Chase at the top of the stairs. Chase reportedly claimed someone was chasing him, and he needed help which the homeowner disputed by directing the intruder towards the exit. This confrontation resulted in Chase’s arrest, as told in a statement obtained by WSB-TV. The homeowners had not seen Chase since the previous March, further thickening the plot of this unwelcome and intoxicating intrusion.
Chase's motivations for this break-in remain unclear, however, it has been indicated by police there had been previous tensions over payment for his handywork. "He wasn’t paid enough for the work he’d done for them," Chase had previously threatened, the homeowner explained to authorities. Damage to their historic abode is anticipated to hover around $1,500. Held responsible for burglary and criminal property damage, Chase now awaits the legal repercussions at the Coweta County Detention Center.
