Barre man arrested for kicking in apartment door during dispute over unpaid stay and missing key

BARRE — On Friday, June 6, 2025, at approximately 4:32 p.m., Sergeant Cody Chick and Detective Robert Brooks of the Barre Police Department were dispatched to the residence at 25 Mechanic Street following a report that a man had forced his way through the front door of the residence.

(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Sergeant Cody Chick and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)

“I would like to mention, 25 Mechanic Street is a multi-family apartment style dwelling,” Sgt. Chick said. “While enroute to the scene, dispatch advised the suspect left in a white SUV. Upon arrival, Det. Brooks and I located a white SUV parked in the municipal parking lot located directly next to the residence.”

Sgt. Chick said that as he exited the cruiser, he activated his body worn camera.

“As the camera was activating, I asked Shawn, ‘What’s going on?” Immediately after the camera began to record, Shawn can be seen standing on the sidewalk with his aunt, [name redacted]. Shawn replied, ‘I lost my temper and kicked the door a couple times, I didn’t mean to break it though.’”

According to police, Shawn A. Stevens, 41, is a resident of School Street in South Barre, MA.

“At this time, I advised Shawn that he would be detained for the time being so that Det. Brooks and I could conduct our investigation,” Sgt. Chick said. “Shawn was compliant and was placed in handcuffs, DL [double locked], behind the back and secured in the cruiser a short time later.”

Sergeant Chick said that prior to securing Stevens in the cruiser, his aunt said that a dispute between Stevens and the residents at 25 Mechanic Street, Kimberly [last name redacted] and her mother, Deborah [last name redacted] began several days earlier.

“[Steven’s aunt] stated that Shawn had left a set of keys at the residence,” Sgt. Chick said. “[Steven’s aunt] believed that one of her keys was on the key ring. [Steven’s aunt] was concerned that her residence would no longer be secured, and they were attempting to retrieve the keys. [Steven’s aunt] stated that she spoke with Deborah who refused to give the keys back.”

At this time, Sergeant Chick said he went to speak with Detective Brooks who was with Kimberly and Deborah.

“I spoke briefly with Det. Brooks, as well as Kimberly and Deborah, who advised that Shawn and his girlfriend, Emily [last name redacted], had stayed at the residence for three nights, approximately three weeks earlier, which is when the keys were left behind,” Sgt. Chick said. “Kimberly stated that Shawn owed her money for staying the three nights which Shawn refused to pay, and Kimberly thus refused to return the keys. In a conversation with Det. Brooks later on, he advised Shawn went to the front door of the residence and spoke with Deborah who allowed him inside the residence. I would note, Deborah suffers from dementia and has difficulty following conversations at times and difficulty remembering people.”

Sergeant Chick stated that when Stevens attempted to enter the residence that day, Kimberly promptly told him to leave and pushed him back through the doorway. She then closed the door and locked it, leaving Stevens outside.

“Shawn then proceeded to kick the door numerous times until it opened, damaging the doorway, the frame and locking mechanism,” Sgt. Chick said. “Shawn then entered the residence, and a verbal argument ensued prior to Kimberly calling the police. During this conversation, I was able to retrieve [Steven’s aunt’s] house key, which I later returned. This concluded my conversation with Kimberly and Deborah.”

At this time, Sergeant Chick returned Steven’s aunt’s keys to her while she was seated in her white SUV in the municipal parking lot.

“I returned the key and advised her that Shawn would be arrested and transported to the Barre Police Department. I returned to the cruiser, advised Shawn that he was under arrest and promptly read him his Miranda Warnings,” Sgt. Chick said. “Shawn stated that he understood and I transported him to the Barre Police Department.”

When they arrived at the Barre Police Department, Sgt. Chick said that Stevens was read his Miranda Warnings again and booked per department policy.

“During the booking process, Shawn made numerous statements regarding this incident. Det. Brooks asked Shawn why he had gone to the residence initially. Shawn stated that he had gone to retrieve [his aunt’s] house key.”  

Sergeant Chick said that, at approximately 5:21 p.m., Detective Brooks had a conversation with Stevens about the incident.

“Det. Brooks asked Shawn why he did not call the police to assist him. Shawn stated that he did not think that the police would be able to retrieve the keys from Kimberly,” Sgt. Chick said. “Det. Brooks also asked how long Shawn and Emily stayed at the residence. Shawn stated that they stayed there two or three nights. Shawn stated numerous times that it was a ‘few weeks ago’ though also mentioned at this time that they might have stayed at the residence in February of 2025.”

Shawn Stevens was charged with the following:

• Breaking and Entering for a Misdemeanor
• Malicious Destruction of Property under $1,200

Sergeant Chick said that at approximately 6:40 p.m., Bail Clerk Don Haapakowski arrived at the Barre Police Department and Shawn was released on his own personal recognizance.

Stevens was arraigned in East Brookfield District Court on June 9, 2025. He attended a pretrial hearing on Aug. 2, 2025. Steven’s next court date is a compliance and election hearing scheduled for Oct. 15, 2025.

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

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