COHASSET – Chief William Quigley reports that the Cohasset Police Department, with the assistance of its local and regional law enforcement partners, arrested a Cohasset man after a lengthy standoff Sunday.
BRIEN BUCKLEY, AGE 35, of COHASSET, is charged with:
- Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, to Wit a Chainsaw
- Damage to Property, three counts
- Child Endangerment, three counts
- Resisting Arrest
- Driving to Endanger
- Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Disorderly Conduct
- Disturbing the Peace
- Wanton Destruction of a Tree
On Sunday, Dec. 18, at about 2:30 p.m., Cohasset Police Officers received a call from the civilian desk attendant at police headquarters reporting that a male, later determined to be BUCKLEY, had driven over the lawn of the police station, hit a tree on the property, exited his pickup truck, and then entered the lobby revving a gas-powered chain saw. BUCKLEY began to damage the lobby of the station with the saw and was chopping at the security door, attempting to gain entry into a restricted area where the attendant was.
After causing damage to the security door and mail packages, BUCKLEY fled the police station in the truck he arrived in. He was tracked by officers to his home on Cushing Road. A perimeter was established, and additional units were dispatched to the area. BUCKLEY began yelling at officers from inside the home and dangled two small children in front of a second-story window. BUCKLEY refused to come out of the home. A tactical alert was called, which drew police officers in from surrounding towns, including Hingham, Hull, Scituate, and Norwell Police.
De-escalation attempts failed. The regional SWAT team and hostage negotiators from the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (METRO-LEC) were called to the scene.
After several hours of negotiations, SWAT supervisors sought permission from Cohasset command staff to enter the home due to the increasingly clear and present danger to the children. BUCKLEY was taken into custody after resisting arrest, with officers using a Taser.
The two children were reunited with family members at the scene.
BUCKLEY was transported by ambulance under police supervision to an area hospital, then returned to Cohasset police headquarters for booking.
BUCKLEY is being held without bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Quincy District Court.
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
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