Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Methuen Police Respond to Barricaded Suspect
METHUEN — Mayor James Jajuga and Chief Joseph Solomon report that the Methuen Police Department responded to a suspect barricaded inside a residence this morning.
At approximately 5:39 a.m., Methuen Police received a call from the Seabrook, New Hampshire Police Department reporting that a 38-year-old male who resides at 11 College Lane in Methuen was wanted for a breaking and entering that occurred overnight at a convenience store in Seabrook. He was also wanted on several warrants including two out of Essex Superior Court and one out of Concord District Court.
Methuen Police responded to the residence and upon entering the house, the man fled and barricaded himself in the attic.
As police began to pursue the man, they saw what looked like a weapon and made the decision to retreat from the home. They also evacuated two other occupants of the residence and six other houses in the area.
The Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) SWAT team responded to the scene to assist.
Officers made several attempts to negotiate with the man, but were unable to make contact. The SWAT team entered the house and located the man in the attic, hiding inside an end table and he was taken into custody.
During their search for the man, police located a rifle and other weapons inside the house, as well as a significant amount of merchandise that is believed to be stolen.
After executing a search warrant, police discovered 17 firearms which were mostly airsoft guns or replicas, with the exception of one bolt-action 7.62×54mm rifle.
The man is being held without bail on three outstanding warrants and a fugitive from justice warrant and is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow at Lawrence District Court.
No injuries were reported as a result of this incident.
“I am extremely thankful that this incident was resolved quick and peacefully without any injuries to law enforcement or the suspect,” Chief Solomon said. “We are so lucky to have a resource like NEMLEC to assist us in these types of situations and I would like to thank them for their support.”
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