METHUEN, Mass. — A standoff in Methuen has ended peacefully.
Methuen Police Chief Joe Solomon says after 6 a.m. they were called to a home on College Lane. Police were trying to serve arrest warrants on Steven O'Neil when he ran up to the attic of his home and barricaded himself.
#Methuen MPS serving warrant on wanted male. Make fled to attic and barricaded on College Ln SWAT arriving. Please remain away from the area. pic.twitter.com/xvvkfoV7s2
— Joseph E. Solomon 🇺🇸 (@ChiefSolomon) June 13, 2018
#UPDATE SWAT and negotiators still no verbal contact from suspect. #Methuen @GuilfoilPR pic.twitter.com/T9qR2HWvMR
— Joseph E. Solomon 🇺🇸 (@ChiefSolomon) June 13, 2018
The house was secured and evacuated. Police tried to negotiate with the man, but it did not work.
SWAT teams were called to the scene. They went into the house and eventually found the suspect hiding in an end table. He was taken into custody.
#UPDATE Subject in custody by @NEMLEC SWAT. Everyone is safe. pic.twitter.com/WDm2XHIl7o
— Joseph E. Solomon 🇺🇸 (@ChiefSolomon) June 13, 2018
#Update awaiting search warrant to seize weapons from the house and other items. pic.twitter.com/qAdJ87YGAR
— Joseph E. Solomon 🇺🇸 (@ChiefSolomon) June 13, 2018
Solomon says SWAT officials found a shotgun, several other weapons and a significant amount of merchandise in the home. Police are now working to obtain a search warrant to get the guns and items.
Family members on scene told police the suspect has recent mental health issues. Solomon says he has been taken to the police station and will be evaluated.
No one was injured during this incident.
Police went to the home on Tuesday to arrest the man on several warrants, including, shoplifting, possession of gun/drugs, probation violation, and breaking and entering. He was not home. Police say O'Neil also stole a dog from a woman's parked car in Nashua over the weekend. The woman was able to track down the suspect and she drove to his house. She called police after seeing her dog and police went into the home and got the dog back.
WATCH LIVEMethuen Police Chief speaking after barricaded suspect taken into custody.
Posted by Boston 25 News on Wednesday, June 13, 2018
During the search, Methuen Police removed an arsenal from O'Neil's home as well as a large amount of power tools believed to be stolen.
WATCH Methuen Police remove an arsenal from Steven O’Neil’s home. O’Neil was wanted on a number of outstanding warrants and a suspect in a recent breaking and entering case in Seabrook. Police said he had a standoff with SWAT that last 2.5 hours. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/Q5GeoCJsDO
— Jason Law (@JasonLawNews) June 13, 2018
Methuen police just removed a safe and a large amount of power tools believed to be stolen property. The suspect, Steven O’Neil, has a history of stealing and dealing in stolen property, according to court documents. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/AjHQSCIlA6
— Jason Law (@JasonLawNews) June 13, 2018
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