Trailer Park Fight Over A Cell Phone Leads to Two Arrests

Branford Police arrested two trailer park neighbors after they became embroiled in a physical altercation over a cell phone on Sept. 1 just before 10am.

According to a press release from the department, Sgt. John Alves said that Edward Crum, 42, of 525 East Main Street Trailer 4 and Thomas Schmidt, 30, of Trailer 43, became involved in an altercation when Schmidt tried to force his way into Crum’s trailer looking for his cell phone. 

The dispute escalated to the point that Schmidt was hit by Crum using a baseball bat, according to police. Schmidt was able to gain control over the bat and began to threaten the other man. Crum then retrieved a rifle, later determined to be a BB gun, and chased Schmidt from the trailer into the area parking lot, according to the police report.

Both men were subsequently arrested by Officer Joseph Carangelo and transported to police headquarters. 

Crum was charged with breach of peace in the second degree, assault in the second degree and threatening in first degree. He was later released on $1,000 bond and is scheduled to appear at New Haven Court on Sept. 10. 

Schmidt was charged with breach of peace in the second degree, assault in the third degree and is currently being held in lieu of a $5,000 Bond. 

Sergeant Alves said that as Officer James Cox was processing Schmidt for his related charges, Officer Cox noticed that Schmidt had in his possession, numerous small items consisting of knives, jewelry, phone charges and a prescription bottle with Propranolol.

A short time later, Officer Cox responded to the area of Beechwood Road where he later learned that the items he had found on Schmidt were taken from automobiles in the area. 

Schmidt was additionally charged with two counts of Larceny in the sixth degree and held on an additional $1,000 bond.