‘Turning the home into a bomb.’ Man accused of trying to cause explosion during Greenwich burglary
Jeffrey Caviola is accused of breaking into a stranger's home on Pemberwick Road between Comly Avenue and Grey Rock Drive in the early morning hours of April 4. Greenwich police said Caviola turned on the natural gas from the stove and forced off the oven door, allowing gas to fill the house, then put a toaster inside the microwave, which he turned on.
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A reported gas leak in Greenwich earlier this month was purposely caused by a local man who wanted to create an explosion while burglarizing a home, according to police.
Jeffrey Caviola, 43, faced a judge Wednesday in Stamford Superior Court on charges of criminal attempt to commit third-degree arson, illegal manufacturing of a bomb, first-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal mischief.
Caviola, who was arrested by warrant Tuesday, is accused of breaking into a stranger's home on Pemberwick Road between Comly Avenue and Grey Rock Drive in the early morning hours of April 4. Police said he turned on the natural gas from the stove and forced off the oven door, allowing gas to fill the house. Caviola then put a toaster inside the microwave, which he turned on, per police.
“As he said, what he learned on TV was that would cause it to explode, essentially turning the home into a bomb,” Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Nemec told the judge during Caviola’s arraignment.
Luckily, nothing ignited before first responders arrived at the home to investigate the reported gas odor. They shut down the road for a few hours and called in the Stamford Bomb Squad.
“The Pemberwick area is a, for Greenwich standards, a relatively closely compacted area. The potential loss of life and/or property damage is extensive. Fortunately, no one was living in the home,” Nemec stated.
Police said their investigation determined Caviola also broke into a doctor's office on the Post Road and did over $1,500 worth of damage there, including destruction to internal structures. He has a pending case, as well.
“He broke into another residence and was stealing copper pipe. Based on that, Your Honor, we'd ask that bond stay at $500,000 dollars,” Nemec said.
That pending case is currently statutorily sealed since Caviola was granted the Specialized Diversionary Program, a pre-trial program that focuses on mental health treatment and can result in charge dismissal.
“He has not had any prior convictions, and has not been found guilty in that case, Your Honor,” argued Deputy Assistant Public Defender Taylor Shawver. “We ask that you adopt the bail commissioner’s recommendation of $100,000 dollars.”
The judge kept Caviola's bond at $500,000. If he’s able to post, it can only be done after a hearing on non-financial conditions of release.
PRIOR COVERAGE: Police: Man caused gas leak while burglarizing Greenwich home
