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A Winona Lake man is being held on several charges after allegedly forcing his way into the home of a female acquaintance.
Donald Robert Purdy, 34, of 1608 Chestnut St., Winona Lake, claims the Wednesday night incident was just a joke and that he was trying to scare the woman into being more cautious when opening her door at night.
The victim suffered cuts to her ear, cheek and both arms and abrasions to her pelvic area. A knife Purdy reportedly had with him during the incident was taken from his home as evidence when police made contact with him shortly after being notified of the matter.
Purdy is being held on $20,000 bond in the Kosciusko County Jail on charges of burglary/other forced, aggravated battery, criminal confinement and attempted rape.
Warsaw police declined to comment on the case, saying it remains under investigation.
According to a police report, Purdy was wearing a skeleton mask when he forced his way into the woman's home on the west side of Warsaw after she opened the door.
Purdy allegedly held a 5-inch fixed blade knife against the woman during the incident and, because she was struggling, the injuries were inflicted. Purdy told police he never meant to harm the woman, who is a friend of his girlfriend. During the struggle, the woman was able to flip up the mask and recognized Purdy. Although she was relieved that it was someone she knew, Purdy told police, the woman continued to cry.
Before leaving the woman's residence, Purdy offered to put in a peephole for her door so that she could be safer in her home.
