A Massachusetts father tried to break into a police station with a chainsaw after cops refused to babysit his children, then triggered a standoff which saw him dangle the youngsters in front of an upstairs window, police say.
Brien Buckley, 35, was charged after an hours-long standoff with police Sunday at his home in southeast Massachusetts.
The series of events began when Buckley brought a chainsaw to the Cohasset police station and 'terrorized' the desk attendant, damaging the station's lobby in an attempt to get in.
Buckley fled to his home where the standoff took place with his son and daughter, both under the age of five, in the home. At one point he was filmed with his dead dangling out an upstairs window of the property while wearing what appeared to be a set of rabbit ears.
Police eventually entered the home and were able to deploy a stun gun and subdue Buckley, His children were unharmed.
Brien Buckley, 35, was taken into custody after the standoff in Cohasset, Massachusetts
Buckley had called the department earlier in the day, asking them to babysit his two young kids, according to Cohasset Police Department Chief William Quiqley.
Hours after they declined, Buckley, who is known to the department, arrived at the station with a chainsaw in tow, attempting to break in.
Buckley arrived at the station by driving his truck directly onto the lawn outside and struck a tree on the property.
Using the chainsaw, Buckley tried to cut through the security door of the station.
A desk attendant for the police department was able to barricade herself and hide while calling for officers to help her.
Quigley said the man 'went in and basically terrorized the civilian desk attendant who was behind the security door and security glass.'
The man was seen throwing items out of his window and dangling his small children near the window during the hours long standoff with police
This is the second floor window where Buckley was seen throwing items out of the home
Officers at the scene were concerned for the safety of the children inside the home due to the man's erratic behavior
In a press release, police said, 'Buckley began to damage the lobby of the station with the saw and was chopping at the security door, attempting to gain entry into a restricted area where the attendant was.'
Photos of the door released by officials show the extent of the damage done by the accused.
The damaged door is seen covered in brown paper and police tape.
After terrorizing the attendant, Buckley fled to his nearby home, located just a half a mile away from the police department's headquarters.
Buckley arrived at the police station hours after he called and asked them to babysit his kids
This is the door inside the Cohasset police station that Buckley attempted to break down with a chainsaw
Upon arrival at the scene, a standoff ensued with officers pleading with the man to come out of the home.
At one point, Buckley was seen throwing items out of a window.
The man also dangled his son and daughter near a window on the second floor of the home. Thankfully, neither child was hurt.
Police negotiated with him for several hours before they weighed the risks and entered the home.
SWAT officers were outside the home for hours Sunday evening trying to get the man out
'We hadn't seen or heard from the kids in over 2 hours, hour and a half two hours and at that point the decision was made that we have to go in,' said Quigley.
During that time, police told nearby residents to shelter in place as they negotiated with Buckley and attempted to remove him from the home.
'We waited for an opportunity where he was far enough from the kids where we could enter the home and take him into custody,' the law enforcement official said.
After Buckley was arrested, his son and daughter were placed into the care of their mother.
The children were safely rescued from the home and reunited with their mother
Neighbors in the sleepy community were on edge for hours as the standoff continued and police lights and sirens lit up the area.
Paul Brady who lives near Buckley told Boston 25 he was most fearful for the safety of the two young children in the home.
'Extremely concerned. I've seen them running around the neighborhood and playing nice, beautiful little children,' said Brady.
'It's a quiet neighborhood and things like this just don't happen. It is a really odd set of circumstances right now.'
This is the home where the situation took place Sunday evening
After his capture, Buckley was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.
The investigation remains ongoing at this time, according to Quigley.
Buckley has been charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon with a chainsaw, three counts of damage to property, two counts of child endangerment, resisting arrest, driving to endanger, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and wanton destruction of a tree.
He was arraigned Monday in the Quincy District Court.
Buckley was sent to Bridgewater Hospital Monday after his initial court appearance for a more extensive mental and physical evaluation.
He is currently being held without bail.
Public records indicate Buckley has been arrested at least seven times in the past for other misdemeanors.
Among his arrests include charges for assault, drug distribution, disorderly conduct, resisting an officer, and vandalism.
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