Manchester Burglary Suspect Stabs Himself In Standoff With Cops

MANCHESTER, CT — A wild scene after a botched break-in led to Manchester officers subduing the would-be burglar so he could be treated for self-inflicted stab wounds, according to an incident report.

Police said the attempted burglary took place Tuesday night at a home on Delmont Street.

Officers engaged in a search after the would-be burglar was seen on a surveillance camera looking inside the residence from the front door just before 9:30 p.m., according t0 an incident report. He appeared to be a white man wearing dark clothing and black gloves, police said.

The would-be burglar also attempted to to open a side door and the resident called 911 to report what she observed on camera, according t0 an incident report.

At about 10 p.m., an officer located a man matching the description of the burglary suspect in the parking lot of 260 North Main St. and he was identified as 48-year-old Michael Cunningham of East Hartford, according to an incident report.

Cunningham fell to the ground as he attempted to flee and then took out a large knife and began stabbing himself multiple times in the abdomen, according to an incident report.

Police said the situation escalated when Cunningham stood up with the knife in his hands and approached an officer in her police cruiser. The officer "took cover" and ordered Cunningham to drop the knife, at which point he ran in a westerly direction toward the parking lot of 336 North Main St., according to an incident report.

Officers caught up to Cunningham, attempted to de-escalate the situation and, after a brief standoff during which Cunningham did not communicate with officers and refused to drop the knife, he was subdued with a Taser, disarmed and given medical attention by Manchester Fire/Rescue/EMS paramedics, according to an incident report.

Cunningham was taken to Hartford Hospital, where he remained in serious condition Wednesday morning, police said.

Police said the investigation into the incident is ongoing and anyone with information on it can contact the lead investigator, Detective Jeremy Curtis, at 860-643-3302.