Man In Custody Following Sex Assault Investigation: Easton PD

EASTON, CT — A Fairfield man remains in custody after being apprehended in connection with a November 2024 sexual assault and robbery case in Easton, according to local police.

On Nov. 14, 2024, officers responded to a report from a homeowner who said a woman—who did not speak English—was knocking on her door asking for help. The woman told police she had been picked up in Bridgeport under the pretense of a house cleaning job and was then held at knifepoint, sexually assaulted, had her phone stolen, and was dropped off at the end of Riverside Drive. She reported escaping after fighting off the attacker.

On March 25, 2025, Easton police received a similar 911 call. A woman said she had also been picked up in Bridgeport for a cleaning job and then assaulted before being left at Morehouse and Reilly Roads. She was able to take a photo of the suspect’s license plate and was treated at a hospital for minor injuries.

Investigators from the Easton and Fairfield Police Departments later identified the suspect as 64-year-old Joseph Kolenda of Fairfield. Evidence from both incidents linked him to the crime.

Kolenda was located by Fairfield officers on March 31 and transferred to Easton police. He was charged with third-degree sexual assault and second-degree robbery. His bond was set at $100,000. He remains incarcerated and appeared in Bridgeport Superior Court on April 1.

Easton police say they are continuing to process evidence related to the second incident and are working with other departments to determine whether similar area cases may be connected. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Kent Lyman at klyman@eastonctpolice.com or 203-268-4111.