A Phippsburg man was arrested at his home early Monday after a New Year’s Day domestic altercation and a seven-hour standoff with police.

Deputies from the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office responded to 34 Rock Ledge Drive around 6 p.m. Sunday after receiving a report that a man had threatened to kill his sister and mother with a handgun, police said Monday.

The women fled the home and reported the incident. The deputies, with help from Bath policePhippsburg, made contact via telephone with the man, Ruben Foster, who was believed to be alone in the home.

A negotiator with the Bath Police Department talked with Foster for about five hours before he surrendered and was taken into custody shortly after 1 a.m. Monday.

Foster, 54, was charged with two felony counts of criminal threatening with a firearm and additional charges are likely, police said. He was taken to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick for an evaluation, prior to being held at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. He is expected to be arraigned Wednesday.

“We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this incident in that no one was hurt,” said Sheriff Joel Merry. “These situations are very tense and getting a peaceful resolution is always the goal. The effort of the negotiator was tremendous.”

Members of the Maine Marine Patrol and Phippsburg Fire Department also assisted the deputies.

Kelley Bouchard can be contacted at 791-6328 or at:

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