Skowhegan, Maine Police Standoff Near the Fairgrounds

Skowhegan Police took a total of 5 people into custody following a standoff that included the neighborhood's evacuation.

Skowhegan, Maine, Police Standoff Ends in Several Arrests

Officials say two adults and three juveniles were taken into custody at the conclusion of Wednesday's Police standoff.

Janathian Viles, 21, of Fairfield is charged with:

Assault
Reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon
Theft by unauthorized taking or transfer
Violation of conditions of release
Causing a Police standoff.

Thor Getchell, 18, of Skowhegan, and three juveniles are charged with creating a police standoff.

The three juveniles were turned over to their parents.

Skowhegan, Maine, Police Standoff Prompts Evacuations

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Skowhegan Police Chief David Bucknam says the incident began at approxiately 3:30 Wednesday afternoon. Officer Alex Burns was checking a home on Beech Street for Viles, who had several pending charges, including reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.

Officer Burns saw Janathian outside the home, but the man went into the house before Burns could approach him. Burns asked for backup and the home was quickly surrounded by Skowhegan Police.

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Chief Bucknam says Viles was believed to be armed with a stolen rifle stemming from an investigation with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

At this point, neighbors were instructed by the police to evacuate the neighborhood.

Skowhegan, Maine, Standoff Ends Without Incident

Attempts to contact the group of people inside the home were unsuccessful, so the Maine State Police Tactical Team was called in to assist.

The suspects finally exited the house on their own at around 8:30 Wednesday night.

They were taken into custody without incident.

Chief Bucknam says videos of the group taken inside the residence and posted to social media showed them smoking, laughing, and not taking the situation seriously. He said in a media release that he's grateful the situation was resolved safely.

We'll update this story as more details become available.