Police: Mendon Man Barricaded Himself in Van While Home Burned
A Mendon man is being held without bail after police say he “barricaded’’ himself in a van outside his burning home, preventing firefighters from accessing it.
David W. Cheschi, 49, was arraigned in Milford District Court Friday on charges of making a bomb threat with serious alarm, interfering with firefighters, and disorderly conduct. He will be back in court for a dangerousness hearing March 13, according to The Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
Just before 6 p.m. Thursday, police and fire crews were called to Cheschi’s Blackstone Street home after someone driving by noticed flames coming from the building. Police arrived on the scene to find an uncooperative Cheschi sitting in a white van outside his home.
According to NECN, Cheschi, who had reportedly made threats of violence against police in the past, was wrapped in electrical cords. Police feared that the wires could be part of a bomb.
Firefighters were initially told not to enter the building and to “keep [their] eyes open for IEDs,’’ or improvised explosive devices, according to a police report released to Boston.com. Crews were later told to stay at least 150 feet away from the building.
An ambulance and SWAT team responded to the home, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was called to the scene to search for explosives.
None were found. The home was a total loss, however.
Police reportedly had to use a stun gun to subdue Cheschi, who was then taken to the hospital for a mental health evaluation, NECN reports.
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