Police arrest pair twice in 2 days

MIDDLETOWN — Two individuals were arrested two days in a row following a domestic incident over where a juvenile would stay, according to a police news release.

Police responded Oct. 7 to a report of a domestic incident. Upon arrival, officers heard screaming coming from the residence and observed James Dubree, 28, of Tollgate Road, Berlin, and Jasmine Szostek, 31, of Loveland Street, yelling at each other in the bedroom, police said.

During an investigation, Szostek claimed she and Dubree got into an argument over which one the juvenile would stay with, but it escalated with Dubree reportedly smashing Szostek’s phone, pushing her into a dresser and hitting her in the face, police said.

Szostek said both of them had been pulling on the juvenile during the argument.

However, Dubree claimed that during the argument he had attempted to leave with the child, but Szostek allegedly tried to pull the juvenile from his grasp. When he got free, Szostek allegedly punched him in the face, causing a nosebleed, the release said.

Police subsequently discovered there was a protective order in place, precluding Dubree from assaulting, threatening or harassing Szostek, and he had allegedly violated the order.

Szostek was charged with risk of injury to a child, disorderly conduct and third-degree assault, while Dubree was charged with risk of injury to a child, disorderly conduct and criminal violation of a protective order. Both individuals were released on $10,000 bail and given a conditions of release order that included no contact between them. They were issued a court date of Oct. 10.

The following day, officers responded to Loveland Street for a well-being check. Upon arrival, officers spoke with Szostek who reportedly admitted to messaging Dubree on Facebook and showed the officers the conversation on her laptop. In reviewing the messages, the officers said Dubree had allegedly responded to one of the posts, the release said.

Both parties were subsequently placed under arrest and charged with violation of the conditions of release. However, Dubree claimed the only reason he responded was because he was unsure it really was Szostek, the release said.

Szostek was released on $15,000 bail, and Dubree was released on $10,000 bail. Both were issued another court date for Oct. 10, but at a different time from the first.