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Man arrested in Methuen standoff sent back to New Hampshire

METHUEN, Mass. — A man suspected in a convenience store break-in, a dog theft and a police standoff will head back to New Hampshire to face charges.

Thirty-eight-year-old Steven O'Neil was arrested Wednesday after a standoff at his family's home in Methuen. Police say the standoff started after Seabrook, New Hampshire police identified him as a suspect in a convenience store break-in.

In court Thursday, O'Neil waived rendition and was taken back to New Hampshire.

When police went to his College Lane home Wednesday morning, O'Neil refused to come out. More than two hours later, SWAT caught him hiding in a piece of furniture.

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O'Neil's criminal history dates back to 1997 and police say they knew his address well.

During the search of the home, police found boxes of merchandise presumed to be stolen.

"He needs help," said Kenneth Farnham, O'Neil's grandfather.

After his arrest, Boston 25 News went back to speak with the woman who says O'Neil stole her dog from a Walgreens parking lot in Nashua, New Hampshire. She says she tracked down O'Neil using a surveillance image and Facebook, and then went to O'Neil's house armed only with a stapler. O'Neil was not home.

"He was lucky I didn't find him," said Amarilys Martinez. "I knew he was going to get arrested, but I didn't know it was going to be this quick."

O'Neil was expected to undergo a mental health evaluation.

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