Stamford man accused of robbery, attempted sexual assault denied bond reduction

STAMFORD — A Stamford man accused of trying to sexually assault a woman in a city alleyway will remain in prison as he awaits trial after a judge denied a motion to reduce his bond Thursday.

Andrew Cummings, 50, has been held on $750,000 bond for nearly five months since being arrested on charges of criminal attempt at first-degree sexual assault, third-degree robbery and unlawful restraint back in October.

Cummings is accused of ambushing a woman who was walking home after working a late shift at a fast food restaurant and dragging her into an alleyway, where he forced her to the ground and tried to rip off her pants, according to an arrest affidavit.

When his attempted assault failed, the affidavit said, Cummings ran off with the victim’s purse, but in the process he forgot his own cellphone.

Attorney Frank Bevilacqua, who represents Cummings, argued before Judge Gary White in a remote hearing Thursday that his client’s bond was set at an “extraordinary amount of money” that Cummings couldn’t post.

Bevilacqua asked the court to reduce the bond on this case to $100,000, so that his client could get out of prison and starting meeting with him to begin preparing their defense against the state’s allegations.

Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Cummings, however, argued that Andrew Cummings has displayed “a very alarming pattern” of behavior in this case, and in prior incidents.

Andrew Cummings has previously been convicted of felony escape in Florida, as well as first-degree harassment and second-degree threatening. The defendant also has two other pending cases for criminal violation of a protective order, disorderly conduct and reckless driving.

“I submit that the defendant presents a significant risk to public safety,” Dan Cummings said.

White ultimately sided with the state and upheld the $750,000 bond, citing the defendant’s history of noncompliance with probation and multiple arrests.

“It seems to me that the defendant does not follow court orders, so in light of that why should I reduce the bond?” White asked. “I haven’t heard sufficient reason to reduce the bond at all. I think the bond is appropriate where it is. Therefore, the motion is denied.”

Andrew Cummings is next scheduled to appear in court on May 6.