Chelmsford, MA – 28 April, 2015 – An armed suspect surrendered peacefully to Chelmsford police and a SWAT team from the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council early this morning after a more than three-hour standoff.
Police said they were called to a home at 4 Piccadilly Circle in Chelmsford about 9 p.m., after a Team of Repossessors from Vermont went to the home to repossess a purple 2010 Dodge Challenger which was spotted in the driveway. After knocking on the front door for keys and allowing the borrower to get his property yielded no results, the Repo Men noticed loud music coming from the garage, they knocked on it announcing who they were and their intention to repossess, 36 year old Jason Cleghorn opened the garage door and emerged with a gun leveled at them.
The Repo Men then allegedly told Cleghorn not to shoot and retreated to their truck where they called police.
The owner, Jason Cleghorn, retreated into the home when police arrived, and remained holed up inside with his girlfriend and her adult son, according to Chief James Spinney.
During the three hour standoff, Cleghorn allegedly was “ranting and raving” about his rights having been violated and that any attempt to arrest him would be met with his Glock and hollow points.
Instead of forcing their way inside the home and risking a violent confrontation, police setup a perimeter and called for backup from NEMLEC, which sent a SWAT team and negotiator. NEMLEC staged at the fire house on Old Westford Road before riding to the scene in armored vehicles.
Spinney said the woman and her son were not threatened by the suspect and were not considered hostages since they expressed a desire to remain in the home. The suspect surrendered without further incident about 12:20 a.m.
No one was injured. “After several hours of talking to the negotiator, he finally came to the front door, unarmed, and surrendered,” Spinney said. Spinney said police were still at the scene early Tuesday morning as the investigation continued.
Cleghorn was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and other charges and pleaded not guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and related charges. Cleghoorn is held on $25,000 bail.
His defense attorney argued that the repo men were supposed to contact local police once they arrived in town and were trespassing on private property.
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“After knocking on the front door for keys and allowing the borrower to get his property yielded no results…” Good example of how to make an easy repo into a 3 hour standoff with police. As Linda says, Basic Repo 101.
Well 275 to 350 repo fee. 5000 to 10000 in legal fee to defend your actions. …..and why did we knock on the door ….. oh ya the forwarding companies wants you to cut a fee key…..