Man Charged After Pitchfork Attack, Standoff

The man who was hospitalized after a standoff with Andover Police has since been charged with multiple counts of assault. Police say his weapon was a pitchfork.

Thomas Croteau, 54, of 67 Woburn st., was charged with assault and battery of a household member, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and three counts of assault wth a dangerous weapon.

After 4 p.m. Friday, police received an alert that a man had locked himself in his home when caseworkers arrived and would not come out.

Croteau ad allegedly assaulted a family member and two caseworkers with multiple items including a pitchfork.

"The male subject had been involved in altercation with a family member and case workers there at house to see him," Andover Police Lt. Edward Guy said. "And he was barricading himself inside."

Police brought in the NEMLEC SWAT team and negotiated with the man. Eventually, they were able to convince the man to come out.

There was no one else at the home, and there were no injuries reported.

Croteau was taken to a hospital for evaluation. He is set to be arraigned Monday morning in Lawrence District Court.