A Bayfield man who police say habitually broke into Durango homes for at least a year was charged Friday with at least two counts of trespassing and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Self-described ‘prowler’ charged in connection with break-ins
Durango Police Department arrested Chad Nolan, 35, early June 27 on suspicion of entering a home in the 500 block of East First Avenue in South Durango. He is suspected of breaking a window to gain entry and laying next to a 12-year-old girl, according to court documents.
The girl, who was not identified in arresting documents, told police she felt someone in bed next to her and assumed it to be her sister. But when she turned to face the person, she “was face to face with the unknown male,” Durango Police wrote in arresting documents.
Prosecutors said Nolan got in bed with the girl and made advances on her.
“(The child) said the male whispered something to the effect of ‘Shhh, don’t say anything’ or ‘Shhh, don’t tell anyone,’” according to court documents. Nolan escaped and “disappeared into the darkness” of a nearby alley, police wrote in an arrest affidavit.
Law enforcement arrested Nolan about four hours later.
In an interview with police after his arrest, “Nolan continued to defend his actions at this residence, believing he was being singled out and watched by law enforcement because of the lifestyle he has chosen to live, ‘home free,’” police wrote in arresting documents. “Nolan also referred to himself as a ‘prowler.’”
Law enforcement accused Nolan of first-degree burglary and attempted sexual assault on a child, both Class 3 felonies. Deputy District Attorney Sean Murray said his office charged Nolan with second-degree burglary, a Class 3 felony, and attempted sexual assault on a child, a Class 5 felony.
Nolan is suspected of trespassing in several cars and residences in the area dating back to at least June 2018, according to court documents. In his interview with police on his most recent arrest, “Nolan admitted to trespassing into several residences in Durango,” police wrote in arresting documents.
Nolan appeared Friday in La Plata County Combined Courts to face eight cases filed against him within the past 10 months. District Court Judge William Herringer ran out of breath and needed to inhale Friday morning while listing Nolan’s cases.
Each case alleges separate run-ins with law enforcement. In each case, Nolan was accused of possession of a controlled substance, trespassing or other charges.
Nolan is being held at the La Plata County Jail without bail. He’s next scheduled to appear in court Aug. 9.
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