NEWBURYPORT, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A 57-year-old Newburyport man was taken into custody on New Year's Day after he barricaded himself inside his home during a police investigation.
The Newburyport Police Department said officers responded to Newburyport One Stop Gas Station at 1 Kent Street for a reported break-in at around 8:20 a.m., but the suspect had fled the scene prior to the officers' arrival.
A witness said that they saw the man, who they thought may be armed, flee into a house a few blocks away on Atkinson Street. A short time later, a heavy police and SWAT team presence was seen in the area.
NPD put out an alert shortly after 10 a.m. asking the public to shelter in place due to "a barricaded suspect," and to stay clear of the the area between Winter and Olive streets until further notice.
The shelter in place order was lifted at around 11:15 a.m., when NPD said the suspect had been taken into custody without incident.
"The individual, who is known to police, refused officers' requests to enter the home, and Newburyport Police subsequently requested mutual aid support from the Northeast Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council and Massachusetts State Police," NPD said Friday afternoon. "The situation was ultimately resolved without incident at 11:10 a.m. when the male was taken into custody."
The suspect was transported to Anna Jaques Hospital for evaluation, and NPD said charges may be forthcoming in connection with the incident, which is still under investigation.
"Our top concern this morning was ensuring the safety of this individual and the community at large, and we were focused on bringing about a peaceful resolution to this incident," Marshal Murray said. "I'm grateful that we were able to do so, in large part due to the support on-scene from our NEMLEC partners and the Massachusetts State Police."
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Written by Brit Smith
(Photo: Getty Images)