Bat-Wielding Resident Chases Drunk Man From His House, Cops Say

A Butler man was charged with criminal mischief Friday after police said he walked into a random Bloomingdale residence drunk at nearly 4:30 a.m.

Paul Staup, 28, was charged with burglary in addition to the criminal mischief charge.

Police responded to the Rafkind Road home where the homeowner said he was awoken by Staup, unknown to him, in the house, according to a press release prepared by Bloomingdale Police Ptl. Dan Fletcher. The homeowner was able to chase Staup out of the home with a baseball bat.

Fletcher said police found Staup walking on the road, allegedly intoxicated, and with a bleeding hand. He was arrested and then transported to Chilton Hospital.

A police investigation revealed that Staup had been involed in a car crash earlier with another person. Staup did not know where the car was after the crash, Fletcher said, but he had injured his hand while attempting to get the car back on the roadway. In an attempt to seek help for his injury, Fletcher said Staup sought help and walked into the home, which had an open doorway. Once he was in the home, Staup damaged a bedroom door, waking the resident up, Fletcher said.

Staup was released on bail posted by a friend. The vehicle and other occupant of the car were found later on Knolls Road. The car had to be towed from the scene because of the damage incurred in the crash, Fletcher said.

The Passaic County Sheriff's Department CIS also assisted with the investigation.

For questions on this blotter, email ariana.cohn-sheehan@patch.com