RUMFORD — An Andover man remained behind bars early Thursday evening in Paris and a Jay man was free on bail after police accused both of participating in a home invasion in Rumford that sent one tenant to the hospital.

Joshua Messier, 26, of Andover, was charged with felony burglary and assault and Scott Towers, 20, of Jay, was charged with felony burglary (accomplice liability), according to Rumford Detective Sgt. James Bernard.

Both were arrested Thursday afternoon after several interviews of witnesses by both Bernard and Detective Capt. Daniel Garbarini.

According to bail commissioner Robert Grinnell, Messier was wanted on a Franklin County warrant and was free on bail in connection with another incident. Additionally, Grinnell said that because Messier has a criminal history, he set bail on the new charges at $5,000 cash only.

However, due to the warrant and violation of conditions of release, Messier wasn’t allowed to post bail and was taken to the Oxford County Jail in Paris, Grinnell added.

Towers was released on $1,000 unsecured bail.

Due to the felony charges, both men will be arraigned on Jan. 15 in Oxford County Superior Court in Paris.

Bernard said the incident began during the early morning hours of Thursday when a group of people arrived at a Cumberland Street multifamily residence.

At 4:30 a.m., one or more people forced a door open and entered the building, according to the 20-year-old male victim, who was awakened, Bernard said in a report released Thursday afternoon.

“A male voice asked the victim for his name, the victim verbalized his name, and the suspect kicked him, causing him to fall on his bed,” Bernard said.

Bernard said the suspect continued to assault the victim, striking him several times in the head and body.

The victim was later taken to Rumford Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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