By: Laura Soukkavong
Ashburnham – On April 1 at approximately 12:20 p.m., police responded to 54 Water Street following a report of a burglary in progress at an apartment building.
Authorities were advised that the suspect may have had multiple outstanding warrants, as well as an active harassment prevention order involving a resident at the address.
Upon arrival, officers from the Ashburnham Police Department and the Westminster Police Department observed a male exiting a third-floor window. The individual quickly re-entered the apartment and attempted to flee through the building as officers pursued.
The Gardner Police Department K9 unit was deployed to assist in the search. Officers soon determined the suspect had climbed into an attic crawl space, where he fell through the ceiling into a second-floor apartment. Once inside, he barricaded himself in the unit, which was unoccupied at the time.
Police secured the perimeter of the building and began obtaining a warrant to enter the apartment. Before the warrant was executed, the suspect appeared at an exterior window, leading to a brief standoff with officers. During the incident, Water Street was temporarily shut down to ensure public safety.
The suspect ultimately complied with officers’ commands and exited the apartment, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
He has been identified as Corey Taber, 39, of Fitchburg. Taber was transported to Gardner District Court for arraignment on multiple charges, including two misdemeanor warrants, one felony warrant, violation of a harassment prevention order, breaking, and resisting arrest.
In addition to assisting agencies, the Ashburnham Fire Department also responded to the scene. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.