SWAT Team Makes Arrest In Salem Electric Bike Robbery

UPDATED 2:30 p.m.

SALEM, MA — A SWAT team was called to the area of Salem State University campus Tuesday morning to enter a Broadway home and arrest a suspect accused of stealing an electric bike following an hours-long standoff.

Salem police said the theft occurred about 6 a.m. when the victim said the suspect displayed what appeared to be a handgun before stealing the bike and fleeing to the nearby house at 106 Broadway.

Police said a search warrant was obtained and that the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT team was ordered to enter the property because of the possibility of a firearm.

Police said Andrew Allard, 32, who lives at the house, was arrested without injury at about 11 a.m. when the electric bike and what turned out to be a BB gun were found in the house.

Salem State University officials urged students and staff to avoid areas of campus near Broadway Tuesday morning.

University officials said in a social media post that there was "enhanced police activity" near the rear of the O'Keefe Center and Stanley Building lot.

Salem police reported the scene was clear and roadways were reopened as of about 11:30 a.m.

Salem officials had offered a similar warning Tuesday morning because Salem police were responding to what was called an "ongoing situation."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)