SALEM — A man who had been kicked out by his girlfriend after allegedly assaulting her broke in while she was sleeping, took her computer to the basement and played "World of Warcraft" until officers showed up the following afternoon, police said.
Rocky Alls, 35, who had been living with his girlfriend on School Street until this week, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment yesterday in Salem District Court to charges of domestic assault and battery on a disabled person, breaking and entering, receiving stolen property, and resisting arrest.
Alls' girlfriend first called police Wednesday morning to report that one of her laptop computers was missing. She told police that on Tuesday, Alls had grabbed her arm and thrown her down during an argument, and that she asked him to move out.
He eventually left.
Sometime overnight, however, he returned, police said, cutting a window screen to enter.
The woman did not hear this because, before going to bed, she had removed a cochlear implant that she uses to hear.
After police left the home Wednesday morning, she went to court and got a restraining order. When she returned, police say, she realized someone was in her basement and called police again.
Officers found Alls inside a small bathroom, playing "World of Warcraft," a computer game to which the woman said he is addicted.
Prosecutor Annaliese Wolf said in court that Alls has a record in his native Virginia, where he once also faced charges of breaking and entering and domestic abuse that were later dropped.
Wolf asked Judge Michael Lauranzano to set bail at $500 cash, calling the case "alarming."
Defense lawyer Heather Ramsey told the judge that her client, who moved to the North Shore from Virginia, has no resources left and cannot afford to post any bail.
She suggested his release on personal recognizance, with the understanding that Alls could live in a homeless shelter while awaiting trial.
Ramsey acknowledged that her client's decision to go back to the home and hang out in the basement "was not the brightest thing to do," but said her client had nowhere else to go.
Lauranzano ordered Alls held at Middleton Jail on $500 bail.
Alls is due back in court Jan. 5.
Courts reporter Julie Manganis may be reached at 978-338-2521 or jmanganis@salemnews.com.
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