Armed Man Threatens Troopers In Standoff

STANFORD, NY — A standoff between a Dutchess County man and the state police ended with an arrest the day after Christmas. State police said Robert M. Spaulding, 34, of Stanford was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and making a terroristic threat, felonies.

Around 8:50 p.m. Dec. 26, troopers were dispatched by Dutchess 911 to Route 82 in the Town of Stanford for a domestic dispute.

While en route, troopers were told by dispatch that Spaulding had made threats to shoot law enforcement upon arrival and was in possession of several rifles.

The victims of the domestic dispute were said to have been still in the residence.

State police crisis negotiators made contact with Spaulding and were able to safely get all occupants out of the residence with the exception of Spaulding.

After about four and a half hours of negotiations, he surrendered and was taken into custody by members of the New York State Police Special Operations and Response Team.

A subsequent investigation found that Spaulding was in possession of two illegal assault weapons.

Route 82 was closed between Bulls Head Road and Grist Mill Lane for the duration of the incident.

Spaulding was arraigned in the Town of Stanford Court and sent to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail or $200,000 bond.

He is scheduled to next appear in court Jan. 23.

State police were assisted at the scene by the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office and the Stanfordville Fire Department.

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Photo caption: Robert M. Spaulding. Photo credit: NYSP.