A 21-year-old Willimantic man is facing several charges after barricading himself inside his home, police said.
Lewis Angel Reyes, 21, has been arrested and charged with interference with a search, interference with an officer/resisting arrest, possession of controlled substance, illegal sale/purchase of large capacity magazine, escape from custody, and second-degree breach of peace, according to police.
On Nov. 26, at approximately 4:34 p.m., police said an individual came to the Willimantic Police Department reporting that he feared for his safety after his roommate, Lewis Reyes, allegedly stole his vehicle and threatened to kill him when he asked Reyes to return it.
The unidentified individual also provided videos of Reyes shooting firearms and photos of loaded AR-style magazines and firearm parts in their shared residence, and expressed fear of Reyes. Based on this information, officers obtained a risk protection order/risk protection warrant.
Police said Reyes did not respond to their numerous attempts to make contact with him. Because of this, a police special operations group was placed on standby. Officers said they were able to confirm that Reyes was inside of the residence, avoiding police contact, and barricading himself. According to police, the special operations group was then activated.
Over the next several hours, officers used de-escalation tactics, including repeated loudspeaker commands, telephone calls to a device that was placed inside the home by police and also telephone calls sent to Reyes’ own cellular phone. A Willimantic Police crisis negotiator made continuous attempts over several hours to establish communication with Reyes, which also failed, police said.
Around 8 a.m. on Thursday, Reyes contacted the crisis negotiator and offered to surrender himself to police. Shortly after the call, members of the special operations group were able to apprehend Reyes, police said.
When inside the residence, officers said they recovered 47.8 grams of marijuana and THC vapes, 5.9 grams of white and blue mushrooms, an AR-style upper and lower receiver, two high-capacity AR-style magazines including one loaded with four .223 rounds, and another stolen vehicle outside in the driveway, which was reported from a separate jurisdiction after the first stolen vehicle.
Reyes was transported to Windham Hospital for precautionary measures and then brought back to Willimantic Police Headquarters for processing, police said. While he was being interviewed, police allege Reyes attempted to break a window and escape but was immediately restrained.
Reyes is held on a $50,000 bond and appeared in Danielson Superior Court on Nov. 28, 2025.
Stephen Underwood can be reached at [email protected]