Assault Suspect in Custody After Standoff with Stamford Police

A Stamford man is facing a variety of charges including assault, following a standoff with Stamford Police on Thursday morning.

According to police, around 9 a.m., the Stamford Police Department Dispatch Center received a report of a domestic dispute that occurred Wednesday night at 6 Avon Ln. The complainant, who’s the sister of the 33-year-old victim, reported that her sister had an altercation with her live-in boyfriend, and was hit with the butt-end of a large kitchen knife in the face. The woman told police that she saw bruising to her sister’s face, according to a police statement.

The victim told her sister that she was afraid to call the police because the suspect had threatened to kill her if she did, according to police.

Patrol officers who were sent to the victim’s residence could not make contact with the victim even though police believed the couple was inside the apartment, police said. “The victim’s only car was in the driveway and her cell phone was intentionally shut off to thwart any communications with the police,” police said.

Around 10:48 a.m., the shift commander requested several units — including the K-9, Special Response Team and Stamford EMS respond to the scene, police said.

At about 11:25 a.m., the victim met officers outside the house and said the suspect was still inside the house.

The Special Response Team made entry into the residence and confirmed that the suspect, identified as Matthew Saunders, 32, was inside. He was taken into custody and was placed under arrest.

Police said that during the booking process, it was learned there was an arrest warrant charging Saunders with Violation of Protection Order. Saunders also was charged with second-degree breach of peace, third-degree assault and interfering with police. Bond on those charges was set at $10,000. Bond on the protection order violation was set at $1,500.

Saunders was assigned a Feb. 20 court date.

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Photo: Matthew Saunders. Credit: Stamford Police.