MAPLETON, Maine — A Mapleton man has been arrested for allegedly holding a woman hostage and threatening to shoot police following a standoff on Sunday.
Richard Laplante, 75, was charged with violation of conditions of release, domestic violence criminal threatening, reckless conduct with a firearm and creating a police standoff, according to Aroostook County Sheriff Peter Johnson.
The woman’s name was not released.
At around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, a Mapleton woman called 911 to report Laplante was in her home with a firearm and wouldn’t let her leave the property, the sheriff said. Laplante said he would shoot police if they approached the home.
When deputies arrived they spoke with Laplante on the phone. After a brief time, Laplante released the woman, but refused to come out of the house, Johnson said.
The Maine State Police Tactical Team assisted with negotiations. It took law enforcement several hours to convince him to surrender, the sheriff said.
Laplante finally left the home and police took him into custody. He was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated, Johnson said.
Laplante was prohibited from being on the property and from having contact with the woman due to previous bail conditions, having been arrested on April 10 and charged with domestic violence terrorizing, Johnson said.
The Maine Warden’s Service, Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill Fire Department and the Presque Isle Fire Department assisted.
Laplante will be transported to the Aroostook County Jail following his arraignment on April 16, Johnson said.
This story was updated to include the April 10 charge against Laplante.
