Police: Man attacked roommate, claimed self-defense

• Police say a West York man, Barry Croft, beat his roommate and claimed self-defense.
• The victim was sent to York Hospital and treated for facial lacerations.
• Croft remains in York County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail.

A West York man is charged with aggravated assault after police say he attacked his roommate and claimed self-defense.

The claims of self-defense from Barry Lamont Croft, 39, of 1043 W. Poplar St., were ultimately found to be false, while his roommate suffered facial fractures, according to police.

West York Police say Croft was found with blood on his hands as well as his face and eyeglasses when they went to his home for a reported assault early Thursday morning. Police handcuffed Croft, and he said "he tried to rob me, so I stomped him out," police said.

Alleged incident: According to charging documents, police went to the residence about 12:45 a.m. Thursday and found the victim, 51, lying on the ground with blood on his face. The victim had heavy bleeding from his mouth and nose, and his eyes were bruised and swollen shut, documents state.

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The victim and two witnesses, who have all lived at the residence for about a month, had been drinking with Croft for several hours when Croft "became irate" and attacked the victim, according to police.

But police say Croft had a different story.

Police say he alleged that the victim tried to rob him while Croft was in his room. Croft allegedly denied knowing the man. Police questioned Croft what the victim said that led Croft to think the man was robbing him, and Croft said, "He can't just come into my space like that," documents state.

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At the scene, police saw blood spatter on the walls, floor and couch, documents state. Additionally, police say they found a whole tooth and a chunk of the victim's hair on the floor.

The victim was taken to York Hospital, where officials told police he had several facial fractures from blunt-force trauma.

In addition to aggravated assault, Croft is charged with simple assault and harassment, according to charging documents.

He remains in York County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail. Croft's preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 29 at District Judge Jennifer J.P. Clancy's office.

— Reach Christopher Dornblaser at cdornblaser@yorkdispatch.com or on Twitter at @YDDornblaser.