ASHBURNHAM — On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at approximately 12:20 p.m., Ashburnham and Westminster police units responded to 54 Water Street following a report that an individual was in the process of breaking into an apartment.
According to Ashburnham Police Chief Chris Conrad, the suspect was believed to have several warrants as well as an active harassment protection order against a resident of 54 Water Street.
When officers arrived on scene, they saw a man exit a window on the third floor. The suspect then re-entered the apartment and fled inside the building with officers in pursuit.
Chief Conrad said a Gardner Police K-9 unit was deployed, and officers soon determined the suspect had fled into an attic crawl space, where he fell through the ceiling into an apartment on the second-floor of the building.
Once inside the second-floor apartment, the suspect barricaded himself inside while no other occupants were present. Police surrounded the building and began securing a warrant to enter the apartment.
Before the warrant was issued, the suspect came to an exterior window, where a brief standoff took place. Chief Conrad said Water Street was shut down at this time for the safety of those involved.
According to Chief Conrad, the suspect eventually complied with orders to exit the apartment and was taken into custody without further incident.
The suspect, identified by police as Corey Taber, 39, of Fitchburg, was charged with the following:
- Two straight misdemeanor warrants
- One felony warrant
- Violation of a harassment protection order
- Breaking and entering
- Resisting arrest
Following his arrest, Taber was transported to Gardner District Court for his arraignment.
Westminster and Gardner police, along with the Ashburnham Fire Department, assisted in the incident.
No injuries were reported.
