Abbotsford Police have arrested a man they say broke into a woman’s apartment, woke her up with a fright and ran when she screamed.
Thomas Michael Pappas, 53, now faces a charge of breaking and entering into a dwelling house.
Pappas had a charge of committing an indecent act dropped in 2014. He had been charged in 2013 after a woman reported to police that she and her parents were walking through Swensson Park in west Abbotsford when they saw a man who appeared to be masturbating. He was, however, found guilty of possession of a controlled substance and fined $250.
The incident happened on April 5. Police released a statement two weeks later, as they had yet to locate a suspect.
At the time, Sgt. Judy Bird said the victim was unable to describe the man, as it was dark in her bedroom at the time of the break-in.
Bird said there were no signs of a physical break-in and it’s not clear how the man got into the apartment in the 30550-block of Cardinal Avenue. Police did not disclose whether anything was stolen from the apartment.
Cops searched the area at the time and reviewed CCTV footage. They also spoke to neighbours.