THOMASTON, Maine — A suspect is in custody after he reportedly created an armed standoff at a home in Thomaston, prompting road closures in the area.
Police responded to a call at a home on Pleasant Street at about 8 a.m., but when they arrived, a man inside allegedly refused to leave when asked by police. Others who were at the home with the man were able to get out. The reason for the initial call has not yet been confirmed.
The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Stephen Little of Rockland, according to a report from The Courier-Gazette.
Little was recently released on a 30-month sentence at Maine Correctional Center in Windham stemming from an aggravated assault charge in 2021. Little is also listed on the Maine Sex Offender Registry after a 2006 conviction of gross sexual assault of a person under the age of 14 and was sentenced to six years with all but one year suspended.
Police from Rockland and Thomaston at the scene reportedly told nearby neighbors to evacuate their homes as they actively worked to get Little to leave.
Maine State Police assisted in the response, Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss confirmed with NEWS CENTER Maine. EMS and LifeFlight of Maine were on standby.
The Rockland Police Department posted an update on Facebook saying the suspect was taken into custody as of 7 p.m. No one was reportedly injured.
Pleasant Street between Route 1 and Park Street were blocked off as of 11 a.m., Rockland police shared in a Facebook post, and people were urged to avoid the area "as much as possible." Police said in an update Monday night the roadway remains closed, but is set to reopen shortly.
NEWS CENTER Maine crews were at the scene.
This story is developing and will be updated as information becomes available.