Crime & Safety

Man Held After Second SWAT Standoff in Three Years

The man was charged with assault and battery as well as assault with a dangerous weapon.

A North Andover man police said barricaded himself in his home and had police and SWAT teams on an evening standoff is expected to be arraigned Tuesday morning.

And it's the second time this has happened with the man in under three years.

William Matthews, 48, of 392 Massachusetts Ave., is charged with assault and battery of a household member and assault with dangerous weapon.

Find out what's happening in North Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At just after 5 p.m. Monday, Sgt. Thomas McEvoy was flagged down by a man on a side street off of Massachusetts Avenue who said he had just been assaulted by a resident nearby, Lt. Charles Gray said. Back-up units arrived and the man directed police to Matthews' home at 392 Massachusetts Ave.

Police say Matthews opened the door and became verbally abusive and said he was not coming out of his house.

Find out what's happening in North Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police called in NEMLEC S.W.A.T. teams and the Fire Department as well as a K-9 unit and surrounded the house. Police from Billerica, Arlington and Waltham arrived as well.

As the SWAT teams surrounded and prepared to rush the house, Matthews came outside and surrendered.

This was not Matthews' first high-profile encounter with police. In December 2009, while being hospitalized for psychiatric issues, Matthews reportedly fled an ambulance, stole a Fantini Baking Co. bread delivery truck and was in a similar standoff with police at his home. SWAT teams were involved in that incident as well.

Matthews was taken to a hospital for emotional issues Tuesday night and was expected to be held overnight at the North Andover Police Station pending arraignment in Lawrence District Court.

Check back with Patch for further details.


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