Union County Apartment Standoff Ends With Man In Custody, Boy Safe
ELIZABETH, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - Authorities say a standoff involving a man who barricaded himself and a young child inside an apartment at a public housing complex has come to a peaceful conclusion.
Elizabeth officials say the standoff at the Mravlag Manor complex started around 9 a.m. Sunday when a woman fled the third-floor apartment following a domestic dispute. Her 6-year-old son remained in the unit with the man, who authorities say is his mother's boyfriend.
Neighbors cheered as police emerged from the Mravlag Manor Public Housing Project with the child who was held hostage by his mother's boyfriend. Shortly after, police lead the boyfriend away in handcuffs.
"It's like something out of a movie," neighbor Alex Flores says. "Honestly cause I've never seen that before."
Around 9 a.m. Sunday morning a woman called police saying her boyfriend had barricaded himself inside her apartment with her son. Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage says the woman believed the man was armed.
"There were a lot of cops and a lot of people outside and waiting for him to come out," one woman told CBS2's Hazel Sanchez.
For several hours police tried to negotiate with the suspect by phone, but he wouldn't answer. He finally opened the door after negotiators allowed a long-time friend to speak with him. Just after 2 p.m. the suspect opened the door and released the little boy.
Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage tweeted out that the situation was resolved thanks to "Elizabeth Police hostage negotiators and members of the community cooperation."
Bollwage's office says the child was not harmed. Police didn't find any weapons in the apartment.
The man's name was not immediately released, but authorities say he does not have a criminal history of domestic violence. Charges are pending.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
