HOLYOKE – A Southampton man is being held on $20,000 bail after allegedly assaulting a Holyoke man during a home break-in Thursday morning.

Sean Younger, 45, of 5 Cheryl Lane, was charged with breaking and entering in the daytime, armed assault in a dwelling, destruction of property over $250, malicious assault with a dangerous weapon on a person over 65 and mayhem. He pleaded not guilty to the charges in Holyoke District Court.

Police said Younger broke into a house on Laurel Street in Holyoke around 11 a.m. Thursday morning. The 68-year-old homeowner’s grandson went to the home and saw that the door had been forced open, Holyoke Police Lt. Michael McCoy said.

The grandson called his mother who in turn called her father, the homeowner, who then called police. The homeowner arrived shortly before officers did.

When police arrived on scene they could hear a commotion coming from inside the house and upon entering found the homeowner wrestling with Younger on the second floor, McCoy said.

Police arrested Younger, and McCoy said he was found to have cash and jewelry on him.

The homeowner suffered a “severe laceration” to his left ear as well as a possible ruptured eardrum, McCoy said. He also suffered minor cuts on a forearm and biceps, McCoy said. The homeowner was taken to the hospital by ambulance and is expected to recover, McCoy said.

Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.

]]>