Domestic violence abuser out on bail, arrested again on domestic violence-related charges, held without bail

A 36-year-old North Attleboro man who was arrested on domestic violence-related charges last week while already out on bail on a previous domestic assault case, was found dangerous and ordered held without bail for 120 days on Friday through the Attleboro District Court, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Michael Berlo was arrested at the North Attleboro apartment he shares with the victim shortly before 3 p.m. on April 12, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. North Attleboro Police responded to the apartment after receiving multiple 911 calls from neighbors regarding an ongoing domestic assault. When police arrived, the first patrolman observed the defendant moving aggressively towards the victim through a glass door to the apartment. The patrolman noted that the victim appeared visibly distraught. At that point, the patrolman entered the residence and ordered the defendant to step away from the victim. The victim immediately exclaimed that the defendant had just struck her in the face. The defendant briefly approached the patrolman in an aggressive manner before being subdued and placed into handcuffs.

The victim reported to police that she and the defendant had been arguing because defendant was mad at her for not giving him a ride home from his friend’s house the night before. When the defendant came home, he continued the argument, according to the victim. The victim told police she then went outside on the porch to speak with a neighbor, but the defendant followed her outside and was screaming at her. The victim said the defendant then dumped the contents of her purse out onto the steps to try to draw her into an altercation. When the victim attempted to stop him, the defendant is alleged to have shoved her to the ground. The victim told police she then collected some belongings and her daughter, at which point the defendant allegedly slapped her on the side of her forehead, which caused her to fall to the ground. The defendant was charged with a single count of assault and battery on a family or household member.

At the time of his arrest, the defendant was free on bail awaiting trial on a pending case where he is charged with assault and battery on a family or household member and assault and battery on a pregnant victim.

The dangerousness hearing was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kendal Poirier and the dangerousness finding was ordered by Judge Michele Armour.

“I am pleased that the court found the defendant to be a danger to the victim and held him without bail. He was already released for assaulting the same victim and is also on probation for other cases,” District Attorney Quinn said. “The defendant clearly does not belong out on the street and should remain in custody until all of his cases are resolved.”