On Monday, November 26, 2018, at around 3:18p.m., police in Bristol Borough were dispatched to respond to the 300 block of Cedar Street for the report of a stabbing. The stabbing victim was able to escape from the house along with her two young children, ages 8 & 9. The stabbing victim made it to a nearby trauma center for treatment of her injuries.

Inside the residence, remained the mother of the stabbing victim and the actor, identified as Michael A. Chesnes whom had been holding the stabbing victim's mother against her will since the morning hours. Following threats to take the hostage's life, police breached the home at about 5:10p.m. and were able to rescue the victim after a struggle over her physical custody between police and the actor took place. That victim escaped further injury during the rescue. The actor was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters in Bristol Borough before being processed with the help of Falls Township Police. The defendant was later arraigned before Hon. Judge Vislosky via video arraignment. Bail was set at $9,000,000.00 / 10%. Chesnes was remanded to the Bucks County Prison after failing to post bail.

Bristol Borough Police Department was assisted by and worked collectively with the Bucks County South SWAT team, the Tullytown Police Department, Bristol Township Police Department, Falls Township Police Department, Bensalem Police Department , the Bucks County Detectives & the District Attorney's Office and the Bucks County Rescue Squad.