Man charged in Lynn home invasion

LYNN – A Salem man who police said beat a woman and then pulled out a knife as he forced his way into a man’s home, was held without bail Thursday in Lynn District Court.”While still brandishing the knife, the suspect chased the victim upstairs, forcing him to barricade himself in a room,” Lynn Police Officer Raymond Guillermo wrote in a report.Fernando Murga, 29, of 12 Pope St., Salem, was arrested and charged with home invasion; malicious destruction of property +$250; and resisting arrest; at 10:44 p.m. Wednesday.Murga was arraigned on the charges Thursday in Lynn District Court where a plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf.Police reported responding to a Fayette Court address late Wednesday night on a report of a man with a knife who was forcing his way into the house. Officers reported stopping a man, subsequently identified as Murga, who matched the suspect description and was walking away from the scene.The alleged victim, meanwhile, told officers the suspect – known to the victim as “Dino” – had been at the house earlier with an unknown white woman, according to police reports. The suspect and woman went outside and began arguing at approximately 10 p.m., the alleged victim told officers.”The victim stated that he observed the suspect beating up the white female until the female managed to walk away from him,” police reported.Murga then allegedly returned to the house and the male alleged victim refused to open the door. Murga took out a knife, began banging on the door, and then kicked the door in, according to police.Police reported the male alleged victim told officers Murga chased him upstairs and then, unable to get inside the room where the alleged victim barricaded himself, fled the scene.Taken to where Murga was stopped, the male alleged victim positively identified Murga as the suspect, according to police.Police reported Murga smelled of alcohol and refused to get into the cruiser or cooperate with booking. Police said they were unable to find a knife from the incident, nor did officers find the female Murga allegedly beat, according to the report.Essex Assistant District Attorney Mark Byron requested in court that Murga be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. Public defender Katie Cox requested a further date for the hearing.Judge Joseph Jennings ordered Murga held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Nov. 14.