MIDDLEBURY, NY-- A Florida man is charged in a terrifying home invasion in Wyoming County.
The sheriff's office says a Middlebury resident called them Monday afternoon saying an unknown man walked into their house and cut him and his 13-year-old brother several times with a knife.
They fought him off and the suspect fled the area. The man and his brother suffered serious wounds and were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.
The suspect, Michael J. Finch, 39, was later found by police and charged with attempted murder, attempted robbery, assault, burglary and criminal possession of a weapon.
Wyoming County Sheriff Greg Rudolph issued this statement: “The Town of Middlebury maybe the quaintest and quietest community in Wyoming County and this incident is both alarming and disturbing. Although the investigation is ongoing, we are confident only FINCH was involved and these appalling crimes were an act of random and extreme violence. Although completely unaware of the intrusion into their home and being abruptly and violently attacked by knives, the injured victims fought for their lives and were able to repel the assault compelling FINCH to leave. The victims’ struggle should not go unnoticed. Everyone at the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office is hopeful and wishes the victims a full and speedy recovery. We will continue to diligently investigate this incident and work with the District Attorney’s Office in providing a comprehensive case for prosecution.”
Both victims are still recovering from surgery.
Investigators say this isn't the first encounter they've had with Finch. In 2011, he was arrested in the Village of Wyoming by the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office as a fugitive out of Florida.