Man accused of raping Pittsfield woman hours after getting out of jail

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) - An Adams man prosecutors say broke into a woman's home and raped her just hours after he was released from jail, then fled to California, has been ordered held on $1 million bail.

Jeffrey Vigiard pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Berkshire District Court to several charges including aggravated rape.

Prosecutors say the 39-year-old Vigiard had been released from a New York jail after serving time on a larceny charge just hours before he broke into the 20-year-old woman's Pittsfield home March 24 and raped her while her baby was sleeping nearby.

He then allegedly fled to California where he was apprehended last month. He returned to Massachusetts on Tuesday.

Authorities tell The Berkshire Eagle he was tied to the rape through DNA.

He denied any wrongdoing in court.