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Police: Chelmsford Man Points Gun At Repo Man, Prompts SWAT Standoff

CHELMSFORD (CBS) – A man was arrested following a police standoff in Chelmsford that started when the suspect allegedly pointed a gun at repossession workers who were attempting to take his car.

Chelmsford police arrested Jason Cleghorn, 36, and charged him with assault with a dangerous weapon after a standoff that began just before 9 p.m. Monday night.

Officers said three employees of a repossession company were trying to take back Cleghorn's 2010 purple Dodge Challenger from his Piccadilly Circle home.

The employees said they heard loud music and noises coming from the garage, so they knocked on the door and identified themselves.

It was at that time police say the garage opened, Cleghorn came outside and pointed a handgun at one of the repossession workers.

After allegedly pointing the gun at the employee, Cleghorn went back inside and refused to come out.

Because Cleghorn had a weapon and there were other people inside the home, Chelmsford police called the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC) SWAT team.

SWAT team members negotiated with Cleghorn, who came out of the house and was arrested.

No one was injured during the initial incident or standoff.

Cleghorn is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Chelmsford District Court.

"This was a fine example of patient, deliberate police work, as our officers and our partner agencies working alongside the Chelmsford Police Department brought a peaceful end to a volatile situation," Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney said.

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