Several Worcester police officers were treated for hypothermia after an hours-long standoff with an armed suspect Wednesday night, according to the police department.
Nicolas McNerney, 46, was wanted on three arrest warrants prior to the incident, Worcester police said in a Thursday press release. He is now facing 13 additional charges, including use of a firearm during a felony and operation of a motor vehicle with intent to endanger.
The Wednesday night incident began around 7:20 p.m. when Worcester police located McNerney’s car on S. Olean Street, the department said. They soon saw him leaving a home on the street with a woman.
When detectives closed in on McNerney in an attempt to arrest him, he got into his car with the woman and began driving towards them, police said. He told the detectives he had two guns on him, and a standoff ensued.
Worcester police negotiators and SWAT Team members soon responded to the scene, the department said. Both McNerney and the woman were given multiple chances to surrender, but ultimately refused. During the standoff, both were seen consuming illegal drugs while sitting inside the car.
Shortly before 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, McNerney told police he intended to surrender, then used the opportunity to speed off in his car, the department said. McNerney fled the scene, but ultimately drove into Streeter Pond in Paxton where his car became disabled.
Worcester police soon entered the pond and arrested McNerney and the woman despite their attempts to resist being taken into custody, the department said. Officers found the two guns and nearly 50 grams of crack cocaine on his person.
Both McNerney and the woman were taken to a hospital for evaluation, police said. Several officers were treated for hypothermia at the hospital.
McNerney was arraigned in Worcester District Court on Thursday, according to court records. He was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Dec. 16.
