GARDNER, MA — A Fitchburg man was arrested April 1 following a burglary in progress and subsequent standoff at an apartment building on Water Street.
Police units responded to 54 Water Street at 12:20 p.m. for a report of a burglary in progress.
The suspect was believed to have several warrants as well as an active harassment protection order against a resident of the building.
Upon arrival, Ashburnham and Westminster officers observed a male party exiting a window on the third floor.
The suspect then re-entered the apartment and fled inside the building as officers followed behind.
A Gardner Police K9 unit was deployed, and it was soon determined that the suspect had fled into an attic crawl space area where he fell through a ceiling into a second-floor apartment.
Once inside the second-floor apartment, he barricaded himself inside with no other occupants present.
Officers surrounded the building and began to secure a warrant to enter the second-floor apartment.
Prior to the issuance, the suspect came to an exterior window where a brief standoff took place.
During this time, Water Street was shut down for the safety of all involved.
The suspect eventually complied with orders to exit the apartment and was taken into custody without further incident.
The suspect is identified as Corey Taber, 39, of Fitchburg.
Taber was transported to the Gardner District Court for arraignment on two straight misdemeanor warrants, one felony warrant, violation of a harassment protection order, breaking and entering, and resisting arrest.
