Baby safe after standoff at Orr’s Island home

HARPSWELL – An 8-month-old baby was safe after being rescued by sheriff’s deputies who stormed a home on Orr’s Island after a four-hour Thanksgiving night standoff with an armed man who allegedly threatened his wife.

No shots were fired and Glenn Beavis, 36, was arrested on charges of threatening with a firearm and causing a hostage situation.

Deputies arrived at the home on Lane Avenue shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday in response to a call about a domestic argument.

Cumberland County Sheriff Mark Dion said Beavis threatened his wife, who ran out with their 5-year-old son. She went back into the house alone but fled when she saw Beavis sitting on the bed with the baby and his rifle, the sheriff said.

More than 20 deputies arrived at the scene and negotiators used a megaphone to try to speak with the man, who did not respond.

Shortly after midnight, two teams of deputies from Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties entered the home and subdued the man in less than a minute. Officers found two rifles, a compound bow and a large knife.

Route 24, the main road on the island, was closed during the standoff and residents were evacuated from two or three neighboring homes.

Police responded to the same house Wednesday night for a reported domestic problem. Dion said the man was cooperative Wednesday.