SWAT team called in to deal with Gilmanton man said to have threatened police

GILMANTON — A Musket Trail Road man is being held on $1,000 cash bail for allegedly threatening police by telling him he was going to shoot them.

Fifty-year old Michael Tape's threats led to a Thursday call to the Belknap County Special Operation Group (SWAT Team) as well as police from Alton, Barnstead and Belmont.

Tape is charged with two counts of criminal threatening, two counts of resisting arrest, one count of phone harassment for annoying Belmont Sgt. Steve Akerstrom, one count of simple assault for grabbing Gilford Officer Curtis Mailloux's wrist.

According to police affidavits obtained from the 4th Circuit Court, Laconia Division and statements by Gilmanton Police, one of Tape's neighbors called the police and fire departments because Tape had been injured earlier in the week but had gotten drunk and fallen down some stairs. The neighbor said his head wound had reopened.

Sgt. Matt Currier was the first to respond. He went to check on Tape, who he knows, and was speaking to him through the sliding glass door in his home. Affidavits said Tape told Currier to get off his property or he was going to shoot him.

Currier evacuated the EMTs and told the neighbors to remain in their homes.

At 3:10 p.m. Currier called Tape on his phone and told him to come out of the house. Tape came out on his porch at 3:31 p.m. said police, and spoke with Currier who told him he was under arrest and to get off the porch.

Affidavits said Tape refused to be arrested and returned inside, closing the door behind him. Tape allegedly told Currier to "bring the whole SWAT Team."

At 3:37, Akerstrom spoke with Tape on the phone. Akerstrom told him to come out side because he was under arrest. Affidavits said Tape told Akerstrom that he would shoot every officer who came to get him.

Gilmanton Police Chief Joe Collins called Tape and was told that he wouldn't come out of the house unless Collins could guarantee him personal recognizance bail.

Others in the Special Operations Group arrived and advised Tape to come out of the house with his hands up and visible. Tape allegedly refused each time. The SWAT Team fired tear gas into Tape's home in an effort to get him to come out.

A short time later, said police, Tape opened the sliding door to get some fresh air. A SWAT Team member fired a Taser round but it had little to no effect.

Affidavits said SWAT Team members forced open Tape's door but Tape refused to submit. During the struggle, he grabbed Mailloux by the wrist.

Tape was eventually taken into custody and evaluated by emergency medical providers before being transported to the Belknap County House of Corrections.

Should Tape post bail, Judge Jim Carroll ordered him to live at 23 Musket Trail and to refrain from all alcohol. Carroll said bail could revert to personal recognizance if Tate is admitted to Portsmouth Hospital. Tate is also required to meet with Jacqui Abikoff of Horizons Counseling Center while at the jail about his treatment options.