Man in custody after police attempted to serve warrants at home in Wethersfield, ending in hours-long standoff

WETHERSFIELD, CT (WFSB) - Police say a man is in custody after police attempted to serve arrest and search warrants at a home in Wethersfield.

Police in Wethersfield shut down an area of town for an investigation on Friday afternoon. Police say the incident began around 10:00 am when East Hampton Police requested the help of Wethersfield Police to serve search and arrest warrants at a home on 16 Tristian Court.

According to police they attempted to serve the warrants to 63-year-old Jeffery Howlett. Howlett was wanted for violating a protective order.

When police attempted to serve the warrants to Howlett, he did not respond to officers on the scene. Due to this, Wethersfield Police contacted C.R.E.S.T. (Capital Region Emergency Services Team) to assist officers.

Throughout the night, C.R.E.S.T. and Newington PD worked from Friday into Saturday attempting to make Howlett leave the home. Tactical teams were in the neighborhood for over 16 hours.

C.R.E.S.T. entered the home around 7:30 on Saturday, taking Howlett into custody. He was then transported to a local hospital and is under the custody of the East Hampton Police Department.

Police say a police presence will be seen near 16 Tristian Court throughout the day while police process the scene.

Nearby residents were concerned about the police investigation.

“I am concerned about what’s been happening in general now in this neighborhood. I am shocked,” said Susan Clark, a resident.

Susan says she was working from home when she stepped out of her home around noon and ran into chaos.

“We went into a shelter in place text message, phone call, that we had to acknowledge that we received from the police. I actually went out at noon not having any idea of what was going on. I started to do a walk like I usually do on my lunch time and the SWAT team greeted me and abruptly told me to get back,” Susan said.

Throughout the day on Friday, over 30 popping sounds were heard. At one point, a big white cloud erupted.

“Heavy machinery, the police had. They took out the front shrubs. They broke into the window. Their drones were waiting apparently to go in. I absolutely heard them ordering someone to come out. No one was out at that point,” Susan explained.

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