UPDATE: Man arrested for daytime break-in

Jul 23, 2019

A young woman on Swifts Beach Road was involved in a struggle at her doorway as a man tried to break in on Monday morning. 

Here is how Elana Brandt, 25, who prevented the man from entering, tells the story: Brandt was still asleep when she heard the doorbell ring just after 11 a.m. She looked out her bedroom window to see a man at the door but no car in the driveway. She thought that maybe one of her four sisters had ordered food to be delivered, but both she and her boyfriend were asleep. 

Brandt went to the door and asked “Who is it?” When no one replied, she said “Hello?” and received no response. 

Then the doorknob started moving and it seemed like the man was trying to pry the door off its hinges. 

At only 4’7” tall, Brandt tried to figure out how she could defend herself and threw herself against the door, trying to close the top bolt lock. She and the man struggled before she told him she was calling the police. At one point, the man had opened the door about four inches. Then, she heard the screen door slam shut and the man took off. 

“My adrenaline was through the roof,” she said, noting that she was grateful that she was the one who went to the door. Her elementary school-age sisters, who she said would probably let anyone in, were not home at the time. 

Officer John Iacobucci quickly located a person in the area matching the suspect’s description. Joseph Prada-Ruiz, 30, of Wareham, was arrested and charged with breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony. Officer Zina Kelsch and a detective assisted in the arrest. 

According to Brandt, Prada-Ruiz told police he was thirsty and wanted a drink of water. 

Prada-Ruiz has an extensive history of arrests for breaking and entering, robbery, assault and battery, and firearms and drug charges. In 2013, Prada-Ruiz faced charges related to five break-ins in the Hathaway Road and Marion Road area. Prada-Ruiz had allegedly entered the homes through unlocked doors and stolen jewelry and loose change.