A Fairfield man is accused of holding two women against their will and assaulting them in separate incidents.
The first incident happened on Nov. 14, according to police. A homeowner called police and said a woman, who did not speak English, knocked on her door and asked for help.
The woman told the homeowner she was picked up in Bridgeport by a man who said he could provide her work cleaning houses.
She said she was held against her will, had her phone stolen, was sexually assaulted and dropped off at the end of Riverside Drive, a dead-end road. She said she was able to fight off her attacker and escape, according to authorities.
On March 25, police received a call from a woman who reported that she had been held against her will, was assaulted and dropped off at the intersection of Morehouse and Reilly roads in Easton. She was able to take a photo of the man’s license plate, according to police.
With the help of a translator, police determined the second victim was picked up in Bridgeport under the notion she would be cleaning a home.
The man drove her around for some time and attempted to sexually assault her, according to authorities.
She was taken to the hospital to be evaluated for minor injuries.
Following an investigation, police were able to collect evidence that they say linked Joseph Kolenda to both incidents.
Kolenda was found Monday and turned over to Easton police on an active warrant for the first incident. He was charged with sexual assault and robbery.
He has not been released from custody and remains incarcerated, police said.
Police said they are processing evidence to make an arrest on the second incident. They are also working with other departments to see if similar cases in the area are connected to Kolenda.
Anyone with information or video is asked to contact Detective Kent Lyman at [email protected] or call the Easton Police Department at 203-268-4111.
