Methuen SWAT Standoff: Dog-Stealing Suspect Arrested

METHUEN, MA — The suspect in a Wednesday morning SWAT standoff was arrested after being found hiding in a piece of furniture in the attic, police said. No one was injured during the capture of the man, who was wanted for, among other things, stealing a dog in New Hampshire over the weekend.

Police arrived at the College Lane residence around 7 a.m. to serve a warrant to who is reportedly being identified as 38-year-old Steven O'Neil. He was wanted for an overnight breaking and entering in Seabrook, N.H., Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon told reporters. He was also wanted for stealing a dog in Nashua on Sunday.

Police evacuated two people from the home and six nearby homes as a negotiator tried in vain to contact O'Neil. Police eventually apprehended him around 8:30 a.m.

Two SWAT teams were called in for the standoff, which ended peacefully.

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Solomon said police found what appeared to be a shotgun and other weapons at the scene, though they were not close to O'Neil and later reportedly determined to be fake. Police also said they found merchandise that is believed to have been stolen.

Police had reportedly tried to serve the warrant for the stolen dog on Tuesday, but O'Neil wasn't home. The dog had been returned Tuesday after a friend of its owner recognized O'Neil. The friend then gave the owner O'Neil's address.

O'Neil's family told police there have been recent mental health issues. Solomon said O'Neil will be evaluated Wednesday and arraigned Thursday at Lawrence District Court.

Photos by Methuen Police