Gardner man arrested after threatening wife, violating restraining order, and fleeing in her car

GARDNER — On Monday, April 28, 2025 at approximately 1:45 p.m., Officer Alexa Morgan and Detective Christopher Starzynski of the Gardner Police Department were dispatched to an apartment at 15 Albion Street following a report from a woman that her husband, Richard Leblanc, was threatening her and “being physical.”

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narratives of Officer Alexa Morgan and Officer Angel Espada and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

The woman also said she had an active Abuse Prevention Order (209A) against her husband.

“While en route, dispatch informed us that Richard had left in [his wife’s] grey Cadillac ATS bearing MA [# redacted],” Officer Morgan said. “Upon arrival, [the woman] was crying. She began by saying she has experienced years of physical, mental, and financial abuse by Richard.”

According to police, Richard Leblanc, 49, is a resident of 15 Albion Street in Gardner, MA.

“When asked what happened today, she said that Richard had been yelling at her all morning because he doesn’t like that she hangs out with their roommate [name redacted],” Officer Morgan said. “[Leblanc’s wife] said that prior to her call to dispatch, Richard threw a laundry basket full of clothes at her while she was sitting at the kitchen table. Richard then went into their bedroom and slammed the door which caused knick-knacks to fall off of shelves. When[Leblanc’s wife] went into the bedroom, Richard reportedly threw two of the knick-knacks at her. She stated one of them did strike her but she had no marks or bruising.”

Officer Morgan said the woman declined medical attention.

“[The roommate] and [reporting party] both said he has been yelling at [his wife] all morning and making death threats toward her,” Officer Morgan said. “Richard then told [his wife] that he was going to crash her car. He took the keys and left the house.

Officer Morgan said the landlord, who was outside when officers arrived, reported that a man had just peeled out of the driveway at a high rate of speed in a Cadillac.

“I requested dispatch release a BOLO for Richard and [his wife’s] vehicle as there is probable cause for his arrest,” Officer Morgan said. “Richard is known to visit his uncle [name redacted] at [# redacted] Lake Street apartment [number redacted]. I provided [Leblanc’s wife] with a statement form, which she completed. She said she had nowhere to go and would stay in the apartment with [the roommate]. I ensured she had a working cell phone and asked that she keep it on her in case Richard returns.”

Officer Morgan confirmed with dispatch that Leblanc had been served with a restraining order on February 10, 2025 by Gardner police. The restraining order is in effect until September 24, 2025.

“The order states that Richard is not to abuse [his wife] and that he is not allowed to be in contact with her. Det. Starzynski and I checked the apartment at [# redacted] Lake Street and Richard was not there,” Officer Morgan said. “Richard is likely not to appear without arrest as indicated by his knowledge of the restraining order and fleeing the scene prior to officer arrival.”

According to Gardner Police Officer Angel Espada, at approximately 5:28 p.m. that evening, he was dispatched to Heywood Hospital.

“Upon arrival, I spoke with Sgt. [Jeffrey] Labonte, who informed me that Richard Leblanc, for whom we had probable cause for violating a 209A restraining order and domestic abuse, was in the custody of Templeton PD [Police Department] and would soon be transferred to Gardner Police Department custody,” Officer Espada said. “Templeton PD and EMS arrived at the emergency department with Richard Leblanc on a stretcher, where he was observed giving officers the middle finger. He was then brought into a room where he began screaming at the officers.”

Officer Espada said Leblanc had the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, slurred speech, and bloodshot, glassy eyes.

“Templeton PD requested their handcuffs back,” Officer Espada said. “I approached Richard to apply my handcuffs on him; however, he repeatedly flicked my hands with his fingers and pushed against them to prevent me from doing so. At that moment, Richard stood up and started screaming again, clenching his fist, and shoving his shoulder against me. Together, Sgt. Labonte, Templeton PD, Phillipston PD, and I were able to restrain Richard and secure him in handcuffs.”

Officer Espada added, “Richard was very aggressive towards the officers and expressed a desire to hit Sgt. Labonte and fight him. In an effort to de-escalate the situation, Sgt. Labonte left the room. Richard briefly calmed down but then attempted to provoke me, stating that if I did not leave the room, there would be consequences. I was able to use my de-escalation techniques to calm him, and I also left the room shortly thereafter. A short time later, the doctors and nurses administered medication that helped calm Richard due to his aggressive behavior towards all emergency personnel. He then fell asleep and ceased to be a problem for others.”

Officer Espada said Richard had been admitted to the hospital for chest pain, suicidal thoughts, and leg pain. He was medically cleared at 2:34 a.m. on April 29, 2025, and transferred to the Gardner Police Department.

Leblanc was charged with:

• Abuse Prevention Order, Violate
• Assault & Battery on Family/Household Member

Leblanc was arraigned in Gardner District Court on April 29, 2025.

Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in April, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.

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