BROWNINGTON — A Brownington man was taken into custody Tuesday evening after he allegedly discharged a firearm and threatened victims before barricading himself inside his home for several hours, Vermont State Police said.
Michael Riendeau Jr., 45, was charged with first-degree aggravated domestic assault, criminal threatening and violating a condition of release related to firearms.
Troopers at the Derby barracks received a report of a disturbance at a residence on Evansville Road at about 6:35 p.m. Police said Riendeau had allegedly fired a gun and threatened the lives of victims before returning to his residence with the firearm.
Investigators learned Riendeau was subject to pretrial conditions of release that prohibited him from possessing firearms, along with a $10,000 bond, stemming from a previous aggravated domestic assault charge, police said.
Troopers and Orleans County sheriff’s deputies responded to the residence, where Riendeau barricaded himself inside and refused to come out. A search warrant was obtained, and the Vermont State Police Tactical Services Unit was called to the scene due to the nature of the incident, police said.
After several hours of negotiation, Riendeau surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.
He was transported to the Derby barracks for processing and ordered held without bail. He was lodged at the Northern State Correctional Facility.
Troopers were assisted by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, the Orleans Ambulance Service and a paramedic from Newport Ambulance Service.
The names of the victims were not released. Vermont State Police do not identify victims of domestic violence.
