A man faces charges for cutting off the electricity to an apartment in New Fairfield in an attempt to get an elderly person to move out.

Giovanni Grillo, 73, of New Fairfield was arrested Wednesday on charges of third-degree assault of an elderly person, intentional cruelty to persons, disorderly conduct and first-degree reckless endangerment, according to Connecticut State Police.

State police said troopers along with officers with the New Fairfield Police Department responded to a residence around 3 a.m. Wednesday on the report of a disturbance and learned that Grillo had shut off the power to someone’s apartment.

According to state police, the resident was“ dependent upon medical equipment powered by the electrical supply to maintain their health….” State police also said the complainant alleged that “Grillo has expressed that he wants the occupant to vacate the apartment.”

Police who responded assured the victim was OK and requested medics as a precaution to evaluate them.

When authorities spoke to Grillo, state police said he “acknowledged that he had interfered with the function of the medical equipment by shutting off the electrical supply to the apartment.” Additionally, when asked if he understood how vital the equipment was to the wellbeing of the victim, Grillo allegedly indicated “that he was aware of the potential ramifications of his actions,” according to state police.

State police said Grillo was taken into custody and arrested on domestic charges after it was determined that the incident met the criteria of family violence. He was initially held on $20,000 bond and arraigned Thursday in Danbury Superior Court.

According to court records, Grillo was released on a promise to appear following the hearing. He is due back in court on July 15 and has not entered a plea, records show.