By Jim Clark

Police responded to a report of a possible breaking and entering in progress at a Tennyson St. residence last Friday.

Upon arrival, officers noticed loud banging sounds coming from the building, which is in the process of being renovated.

A figure appeared at an upper story opening and, as officers trained a flashlight on the opening, a man was seen retreating back into the house.

Officers then gained entry into the building through the front door, which was unlocked, and they were met by two men, later identified as Derek Stewart, 23, and Gary Sylvain, 25.

The men were ordered by officers to show their hands and get on the ground. While Stewart complied with the officer’s orders, Sylvain reportedly fled through to the back of the house. He was shortly thereafter found hiding behind a pile of construction materials, police said.

While searching the house, officers found a third man, Kyle Vivian, 23, of  Malden, hiding in the basement, according to reports.

When asked why they were in the house, the men reportedly told officers that they thought that the building was abandoned and that they were merely using it as a place to do some drinking. Police reports indicate that several empty beer cans were found in the house, supporting the men’s story.

All three men were placed under arrest and charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering.