Man arrested after pursuit, stand-off

Josh Stilts/Reformer Investigators were still on scene more than three hours after an alleged high-speed pursuit ended with the suspect barring himself inside a home in Townshend. Members of the Vermont State Police were able to convince the man to exit his home without incident and he was taken into custody.

TOWNSHEND -- Police arrested a local man Tuesday after he led them on a high-speed pursuit through Windham County.

Vermont State Police Lt. Paul Faverau told the Reformer that a man was taken into custody sometime after 5 p.m., near his home along Island Road in Townshend.

"Right now we have one man in custody and he's receiving medical treatment," Faverau said. "That's all the information we can release at this time as the investigation is ongoing."

Witnesses said more than 30 "heavily armed" officers were called to the scene.

Investigators were still at the scene as of 10 p.m., interviewing neighbors and collecting evidence from an apparent stand-off after the man barred himself inside the home, witnesses said.

A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Reformer that for the past six weeks or so, loud gunshots have been heard coming from the direction where the man was arrested.

"We've heard a lot of big ‘booms' recently," the woman said. "Nobody's sure what he was doing though."

Josh Stilts can be reached at jstilts@reformer.com, or 802-254-2311 ext. 273.