Police arrest man who barricaded himself in Groton home

Groton — Police safely apprehended a man who barricaded himself inside his 17 Fleming Court home Friday morning, prompting a large emergency response and a shelter-in-place alert for neighbors.

City police said they responded to the house at 5:23 a.m., after Robert J. Patterson’s estranged girlfriend told police he was heavily armed and being irrational.

Police said Patterson, 52, indicated he wanted “death by cop.” Officers set up a perimeter around the house, closing a portion of Mitchell Street and asking residents to shelter in place via a reverse 911 alert. Police also evacuated nearby residences as a precaution.

Town police and members of the state police Emergency Services Unit assisted city police. A state police hostage negotiator worked with Patterson until 9:43 a.m., when he surrendered.

Police charged Patterson with first-degree reckless endangerment and breach of peace. They also charged him on a warrant with second-degree strangulation, disorderly conduct and third-degree criminal mischief. Police said the latter charges stem from an earlier domestic violence incident that happened in Patterson’s home.

Patterson’s bond was set at a total of $60,000.

City police thanked town and state police for their help and said they intended to seize firearms from the residence. The investigation was ongoing.