A booking photo of Robert Hoha Jr. released by Shelton police.
A man facing an attempted murder charge in Oxford was arrested by Shelton police in a separate incident after allegedly grabbing two children by their necks.
In a prepared statement, Detective Christopher Nugent said police received a complaint after two juvenile children returned to their mother’s house after spending the weekend at their father’s house in Shelton.
“Both children reported to their mother that over the weekend their uncle, Robert Hoha Jr., age 39, who resides with their father, grabbed each one of them by their necks,” Nugent said. “Officers investigating the incident interviewed several family members and based on the investigation, applied for an arrest warrant for Hoha Jr. in regards to the incident, which was reported over the weekend.”
According to court records the incident occurred July 12.
Police obtained a warrant charging Hoha with two counts of risk of injury to a minor, two counts of strangulation, one count of third-degree assault, and two counts of disorderly conduct.
He was arrested July 21 without incident, police said.
He is currently being held on $100,000 bond and is due to return to court July 26.
Pending Case
Hoha also faces an attempted murder charge in connection to a March 28 shooting in Oxford.
State police never released information on the attempted murder until today.
According to a prepared statement from state police, cops received 911 calls from an Old State Road resident “that a domestic disturbance had occurred in which shots were fired at the complainant.”
“The complainant fled to a neighbor’s house and police responded,” the statement said. “Upon arrival a perimeter was established and contact was made with the suspect. The suspect Robert Hoha was then taken into custody without further incident.”
In that case, Hoha faces charges of attempted murder, second-degree strangulation, first-degree threatening, illegal discharge of a firearm, disorderly conduct, third-degree criminal mischief, second-degree breach of peace, first-degree reckless endangerment, and illegally carrying a firearm while under the influence.
Hoha has posted $200,000 bond and is due to return to court Sept. 7.
The Valley Indy left a message with Hoha’s lawyer Tuesday.
Trooper Eric Haglund, a state police spokesman, said in an email that Hoha’s March arrest wasn’t announced by state police earlier because “troopers make numerous arrests every day and not every criminal information summary is sent to the media.”
“Criminal information summaries are available for all arrests and can be requested/obtained through PIO (public information office) during business hours or at the location of the Troop that made the arrest,” said Haglund, who sent the information above about Hoha’s March arrest less than 20 minutes after the Valley Indy requested it in an email.
