AUBURN — A local man was taken into custody Thursday morning in the Western Promenade area after an eight-hour standoff.
Matthew Couturier, 39, of Auburn, was arrested on charges of attempted burglary, domestic violence assault, domestic violence terrorizing, criminal mischief, theft and creating a police standoff, according to a post on the Auburn Police Department Facebook page.
Convictions on the charges could result in penalties ranging from six months in jail to up to five years in prison.
Auburn police and members of the Maine State Police blocked off several streets in the area area where Couturier was eventually taken into custody.
Auburn police responded to a report at 1:10 a.m. of a disturbance in the area of 50 Western Promenade. Upon arrival, officers spoke with a female resident who reported that her neighbor, who is also her ex-boyfriend, was attempting to gain entry into her home.
She told police the man, identified as Couturier, had broken a window and taken her dog. She also reported that earlier in the day, Couturier had been outside on his porch with a knife, causing her concern for her safety, according to Auburn police.
Through their investigation, officers learned that earlier in the evening, Couturier had allegedly assaulted the woman during a domestic dispute. She left the residence at that time and did not contact police. Later that night, she was awakened by Couturier pounding on her door. Couturier’s behavior placed the woman in reasonable fear that if he had gained entry, he would have harmed her, police said.
Officers attempted to make contact with Couturier for over an hour. He was inside his residence, “under the influence,” police said, and refused to exit or cooperate with police commands.
Due to the escalating circumstances and Couturier’s refusal to surrender, the state police Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiation Team were requested to assist. At 9:10 a.m. Couturier was taken into custody without incident.
Couturier was taken to the Androscoggin County Jail and remained there early Thursday afternoon in lieu of $500 cash bail.
“The Auburn Police Department would like to thank the Maine State Police and the Lewiston Maine Police Department for their mutual aid and assistance in safely resolving this incident,” police wrote on Facebook.
All roadways have reopened.
