FRANCESTOWN — A man who barricaded himself inside a Francestown home has been taken into custody.
At 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, New Hampshire State Police was requested to assist Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies with a disturbance involving a Francestown resident and a mail carrier on Old County Road N.
The initial report received by the Hillsborough County Dispatch at around 9:30 a.m. indicated that the resident, identified as Richard Vannostrand, 47, of Francestown, had been shouting at the mail carrier and attempting to damage the mail carrier’s vehicle.
Chief Frederick Douglas of the Francestown Police Department responded to the scene.
Vannostrand refused to cooperate and physically assaulted Chief Douglas, causing him significant, but non-life-threatening injuries.
Vannostrand then barricaded himself in his home.
Deputies of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department and officers of the New Boston, Greenfield, Bennington, Hillsboro, Hancock, Peterborough, and Antrim police departments all responded, setting a perimeter to contain the suspect.
The New Hampshire State Police SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Units were requested and responded to the scene.
Out of an abundance of caution, residents and visitors were asked to avoid the area, and traffic in the vicinity was impacted throughout the incident.
At approximately 5:15 p.m., Vannostrand was taken into custody with the use of less-than-lethal force that resulted in minor injuries.
Vannostrand was transported to a local hospital and is expected to be arraigned by video at 11 a.m. tomorrow, July 10, in Goffstown District Court on numerous charges, including felony second degree assault and resisting arrest or detention.
Chief Douglas was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.
No other members of law enforcement were injured during this incident.
All roads have since reopened, and residents are returning to their homes.
Troopers were also assisted at the scene by members of the Francestown and Peterborough Fire Departments.
