China man arrested in burglary, assault

PALERMO – A China man was being held Monday on $50,000 cash bail after allegedly breaking into a local home early Sunday and bludgeoning a man with a brandy bottle.

David B. Bragg, 39, was arrested by Waldo County sheriff’s deputies at the victim’s home about five hours after the attack. He was charged with burglary and aggravated assault and taken to the county jail.

Waldo County Chief Deputy Robert Keating said Bragg was apparently angry with the victim because he believed the man was engaged in a relationship with his wife.

Keating said deputies were alerted to the assault at 4 a.m. Sunday when the victim ran to a neighbor’s home asking for help. The man told his North Palermo Road neighbor that Bragg had assaulted him.

Keating said Bragg allegedly forced his way into the victim’s home by breaking down a door. He beat the man with his fists, feet and a bottle of coffee brandy. Bragg was taken by ambulance to Maine General Hospital in Augusta where he was treated and released.

“He has at least a broken nose and severe facial injuries,” Keating said Monday. “It was a very brutal assault.”

Lt. Bryant White and deputies Richard Benedict and James Greeley were still searching the home for evidence at 8:30 a.m. when a vehicle turned into the driveway, then drove off. Benedict gave chase and pulled the vehicle over a short distance down the road.

Bragg, a passenger in the vehicle, was arrested on the spot and taken to the Waldo County Jail.