FRIENDSHIP – A Thomaston man was arrested after he was accused of breaking into a Friendship woman’s home, assaulting the woman twice and slashing all four of her car tires.

Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Pinkham arrested Gregory S. Prior, 44, of Thomaston, and charged him with burglary, aggravated criminal trespass, domestic violence assault and criminal mischief, according to court documents.

Court documents state that when the victim returned to her home June 26, she found that it had been broken into through a back door and vandalized. When she returned to her car to retrieve some belongings, Prior, who had been hiding in the bushes, jumped out and punched her in the face. Prior then went back inside the home and continued to throw and smash items in the home.

According to court documents, Prior threatened the victim that if she did not give him her car keys he would slash her tires. Prior then went outside again and slashed all of the tires on her car as she watched. He also struck the victim a second time while she was outside holding her child.

The victim stated in the police report that Prior is the father of her daughter.

Prior made his initial court appearance on July 17 and was released on $10,000 bail. He is not to have any contact with the victim as part of his bail conditions. 

Prior will make his next court appearance in September.

Sarah Shepherd can be reached at penbaypilot.com