Nashua Man Accused Of Multiple Felonies After Nearly 5 Hour Standoff

NASHUA, NH - Robert Reidy, 32 the Nashua man who barricaded himself in a Grand Ave residence for nearly five hours appeared in Hillsborough County Superior Southern District Wednesday.

When police first attempted to make contact at the address a woman and child as well as Reidy were in the residence. The woman and child eventually exited unharmed, and Reidy remained inside.

Members of the Nashua Police SWAT team set up a perimeter around the house and parked their Bearcat facing the front door. Throughout the event, a Nashua K9 officer and his partner were near the front lawn.

As the extended to multiple hours a shelter-in-place was implemented for the neighborhood around Grand Ave.

Manchester Police SWAT responded to the scene and provided a bearcat that was located at the rear of the residence.

A drone was launched several times and flown over the house and nearby yards.

As darkness fell officers approached the front of the house and fired multiple chemicals into the house. Several announcements were made over the loudspeaker encouraging Reidy to come out of the house and end the incident safely.

Eventually, the suspect could be seen exiting the front door wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and holding his hands up as SWAT officers placed him into handcuffs.

Reidy was held overnight at the Hillsborough County House of Corrections in Manchester and transported to Nashua for his arraignment Wednesday afternoon.

He faces two felony counts for the sale of controlled drug methamphetamine, subsequent offense, two counts of felonious use of a firearm, criminal liability of a controlled drug, subsequent offense, possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute, common nuisance, and resisting arrest.

In court, it was revealed that police have had the house on Grand Ave under surveillance for at least two months suspecting drug distribution. Several “controlled buys” were made by cooperating informants during this time.

Police went to the residence Tuesday to execute a search warrant and attempt to secure the address for evidence processing.

Prosecutors said that Reidy had set up surveillance cameras around the property and the cooperating individuals were told he “would ‘be ready when the police arrive.”

The informants told police they had seen guns inside the residence while they were making controlled buys.

Attorney Elliot Friedman, a public defender who represented Reidy at the arraignment, said Reidy had a “severe drug habit” and never has had treatment.

Attorney Friedman requested that the suspect be released if he entered a drug program once one was available. He told the court that Reidy was scared when police showed up at his house and that is why he did not exit.

Reidy was ordered held on preventative detention and was returned to Hillsborough County House of Corrections where he will remain at this time.

Several Nashua Detectives were at the residence on Grand Ave processing a large amount of evidence that was gathered.