OLD TOWN, Maine — Police took a man into custody after a standoff that lasted nearly 20 hours.
A portion of Stillwater Avenue between Governor’s Restaurant and the United Methodist Church was closed to traffic most of the day, while police tried to talk Thadius Wind, 46, out of an apartment.
Wind was arrested on charges of criminal threatening, threatening with a dangerous weapon, terrorizing with a dangerous weapon and violating conditions of release, according to Old Town Police Deputy Chief Lee Miller.
Police arrived shortly after midnight when a neighbor reported that it sounded like a man and his girlfriend were fighting, Miller said. Wind allegedly threatened the officers from his second-story window with what appeared to be a samurai-type sword, he said.
Police were able to get the woman out early on, but Wind refused to leave, Miller said. Police fired tear gas into the apartment, but ultimately used an Old Town fire truck and chainsaws to enter the apartment through the roof, Miller said.
Maine State Police’s tactical and crisis negotiation teams were on site all day assisting Old Town Police.
Wind was known to Old Town police, who arrested him on June 1 on a criminal threatening charge after he allegedly had an altercation with his neighbor, Miller said.
He has been taken to the Penobscot County Jail, Miller said.
Throughout the day neighbors were placed in lockdown as police attempted to negotiate with Wind.
Stillwater Avenue reopened just after 7 p.m.