Crime & Safety

VIDEO: UPDATED - Chief McLaughlin on Lawndale Street Burglary Incident

Regional SWAT team assisted Belmont Police on possible barricaded suspect.

Update: Noon

A suspect who attempted or did burglar a second floor apartment at 11 Lawndale St. this morning remains at large after Belmont Police and the regional SWAT team descended on the Belmont neighborhood this morning, Jan. 7, for what they believed was a possible armed suspect barricaded inside the two-family house.

"We just wanted everyone safe," said Belmont Police Chief Richard McLaughlin at a press conference on Belmont Street near the scene of the incident near the intersection with Oakley Road. 

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See the press conference video and photos of the incident on Lawndale on this web page on Belmont Patch.

According to McLaughlin, around 6:40 a.m., the homeowner heard noises coming from the upstairs apartment whose tenants were away. Concerned, she called Belmont Police who arrived in three minutes. They determined that someone was indeed upstairs and called for backup.

Find out what's happening in Belmontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Following procedure, attempts were made to communicate with the suspect. Around two hours later, the Special Weapons and Tactical (SWAT) unit of the regional North East Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council along with a K9 unit from the Arlington Police Department arrived. 

Radio communication indicated that officers had secured all the floors but the attic. An officer could be heard from the street that officers would be sending in the police dog "and he bites."

Around 10 a.m., the entire building was cleared. Officers also knocked on doors along Lawndale to ask for information from neighbors.

McLaughlin said law enforcement did not have a description of the suspect but that residents shouldn't be alarmed that the burglar is at large. 

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Update 10:20 a.m.

All clear.

Belmont Police Chief Richard McLaughlin said at a 10:10 a.m. press conference that the house on 11 Lawndale St. is clear of any burglary suspect.

An intruder who police initially believed was barricaded in the attic of two-family had apparently fled the scene early on in the incident.

Press conference video and photos coming soon to Belmont Patch.

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Update 9:55 a.m.: Patch is on scene, according to a Belmont police sergeant, there was a burlgary, and the suspect is possibly in the house. He is believed to be armed. Arlington K-9 units have arrived, along with the regional SWAT team. Lawndale Street is closed with hundreds of police officers present. Police could be heard from the street saying "Come out with your hands up or we'll put the dog in. And he bites."

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Belmont Police has reported that a "barricaded suspect" is holed up at 11 Lawndale St. at 9:15 a.m.

A regional SWAT team is heading to the address off of Belmont Street across from the Oakley Country Club.

Belmont town records does not indicate an owner of the property.

More information here at Belmont Patch.


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