Northfield resident facing felony charges after alleged attempted police station break-in

NORTHFIELD — One resident is facing felony charges after allegedly trying to break into the town police station, as well allegedly assaulting and threatening two people, including a baby, with a loaded gun.

Skylar Bennett, 43, was charged on Dec. 31 by Concord Police with attempted burglary with a firearm, a special felony); felony attempted burglary; and criminal mischief.

According to documents from Merrimack Superior Court, after those initial charges, a follow-up interview led to 12 additional charges, six of them felonies.

Bennett was then charged with two counts of felony domestic violence and criminal threatening with a deadly weapon; two counts of felony reckless conduct and domestic violence with a deadly weapon; felony reckless conduct with a deadly weapon; and felony use of a firearm.

He was also charged with four counts of domestic violence and assault; endangering a child; and domestic violence and false imprisonment.

According to a sworn affidavit, Northfield Police Sgt. Ryan Smith was dispatched to Sargent Street at 10:14 p.m. on Dec. 30, after receiving a call from someone concerned about the safety of family members.

Smith arrived to find items strewn about the driveway, and the person who answered the door told him to leave. Smith did not see anyone injured, and saw nobody else inside. A radio call from dispatch requested he call in. Smith left and got more information, then called the home.

Over the phone, the original caller said they had a verbal fight with Bennett. The caller put Bennett’s things outside, where he kicked them into the driveway.

No crime was reported, but the person said Bennett had been loading and unloading a gun throughout the day. The caller said they did not want police at the residence, because Bennett made comments about being shot by police.

The caller told Smith they had been able to leave earlier, and did not want police assistance. Then, they made what Smith called “a strange remark,” asking if anyone had come to the police station. Smith inferred the caller was asking if anyone had come to file a report, and answered “no.” When he returned to the station, he saw signs of an attempted break-in.

The door handle was allegedly damaged, as well as the frame. The door couldn’t be opened, and a shovel stored inside had been knocked over.

Security footage showed a man who allegedly matched Bennett’s description walk from Sargent Street to the station, located at the intersection of Park Street and Sargent, kick the door multiple times, and try opening it before leaving. Bennett allegedly admitted to to the caller to kicking the door, but the caller thought he was lying.

The caller went to the station, and while reluctant to speak, told Smith that Bennett was home alone in a bad mental state. They didn’t want officers to go to the house, fearing someone could get hurt.

Bennett had allegedly told the caller he believed police would come looking for him and he would be killed. He was thought to be armed with a .45 caliber pistol, and allegedly had numerous guns at the home. The caller said he was loading a rifle earlier, and the caller hid the guns before leaving. They also noted Bennett had allegedly come home after drinking at a bar.

A warrant for Bennett's arrest was issued on Dec. 31, and Bennett was taken into custody by Concord Police at 9:46 p.m., then taken to Merrimack County jail.

Bennett appeared via video for a formal reading of charges at Franklin District Court on Jan. 2, on the counts of attempted burglary and criminal mischief.

On Jan. 2, Det. Sgt. Holly Harris of the Northfield Police Department met with a Sargent Street resident about the incident, then told Smith about the interview.

In that interview, the subject alleged Bennett pointed a loaded rifle at the person and an infant sitting on their lap. Bennett then allegedly grabbed the person’s neck, who kicked him in self-defense.

In the interview, the person told Harris they took the rifle from the home to keep it away from Bennett. A second confrontation allegedly took place in the driveway, where Bennett attempted to take the rifle back. Bennett allegedly put his arm around the person's neck and pushed them to the ground, leaving a visible mark on their arm.

Smith found there was probable cause a crime was committed, and requested a warrant with additional charges. Bennett appeared in Franklin District Court to respond to those charges on Jan. 5. A probable cause hearing scheduled for Jan. 9 was waived, and the case was elevated to Merrimack Superior Court on Jan. 13.

Bennett was released from jail on Jan. 15, according to a representative of Merrimack County Corrections.

Bennett is scheduled for a dispositional conference at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at Merrimack Superior Court.