For Immediate Release

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-533-9398
Email: john@jgpr.net

Stoneham Police Subdue Disturbed Man Who Entered Police Station, Assaulted Officer and Made Bomb Threat

STONEHAM — Chief James McIntyre reports that the Stoneham Police Department is charging a man after he allegedly entered the Stoneham Police Station, made a bomb threat and assaulted a police officer.

Chief McIntyre is also praising the restraint and tactical decision-making by officers who diffused the situation and subdued the suspect without injury to the suspect or others.

On Tuesday, May 3, around 5:30 p.m., a man entered the police station, located at 47 Central St., wearing a backpack. He approached the dispatch window in the lobby and made a bomb threat to a police officer at the window. The man then walked away from the dispatch window toward a training room where a community group was going to be holding a meeting.

Officers exited the dispatch area into the lobby and attempted to calm the man, who allegedly tried to strike an officer multiple times.

Officers deployed pepper spray to restrain the man and then took him into custody. As officers were placing handcuffs on the man, an officer used a pocket knife to cut off the backpack, which was handed to another officer who carried it from the building. A search of the backpack revealed no explosives inside.

The suspect, a 35-YEAR-OLD STONEHAM MAN, was taken to a local hospital for a mental health and physical evaluation. He will be summonsed to Woburn District Court at a later date, charged with Issuing a False Bomb Threat and Assault and Battery on a Police Officer.

His name is not being released at this time.

Out of an abundance of caution, Stoneham Police officers also completed a sweep of nearby Town Hall, as the suspect had been seen inside the building earlier in the evening. No suspicious devices or packages were located.

“Thankfully, the public was never in danger, but the actions of this individual caused considerable concern,” Chief McIntyre said. “I commend our officers for bringing this situation to a successful resolution with no one injured and no disruption to the community.”

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