SWAT teams, armored vehicle seen near Brown compound

Associated Press
Thursday, June 7, 2007

PLAINFIELD, N.H. (AP) - Neighbors of convicted tax evaders Ed and Elaine Brown reported police SWAT teams and at least one armored vehicle converged on a field near the Browns' Plainfield (New Hampshire) home this morning.

Federal and state authorities haven't commented on whether they are moving in to arrest the fugitives, and the local police, the governor's office and the U.S. Attorney's office referred calls to the U.S. Marshal's office, which has been negotiating with the Browns since their tax evasion conviction in January.

A neighbor who lives a mile or so away from the Browns, on Center of Town Road, said she saw police officers, SWAT team members, a fire truck, ambulance, helicopter and at least one armored vehicle assembled in a field across from her driveway.

Brown told a blog interviewer this morning he's been getting calls from people reporting police in the town, and said he lost power twice during the night.

The Browns have been sentenced to five and a half years in prison for tax evasion. They skipped their sentencing hearings, and Ed Brown has said he and his wife will refuse to surrender.