Three men in custody after police use armored vehicle in 9 1/2-hour Wooster standoff
WOOSTER – Three people are in custody after police said they used an armored vehicle to help end a more than nine-hour incident involving a "possible hostage situation."
The Wooster Police Department got a call at 2:21 a.m. Thursday stating that a 31-year-old man was assaulted and held against his will in a house in the 300 block of W. South Street, according to a news release from the department.
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The victim left the house shortly after officers arrived.
He told police he was struck with what he thought was a 2x4, stomped and punched. He was transported to Wooster Community Hospital where he was treated for injuries to his head, face and body, the release states.
The victim told officers that others with extensive criminal backgrounds, including violent felonies and active arrest warrants, remained inside the house, according to the release.
Police got a search warrant and special response teams from Wooster, Orrville and the Ohio Highway Patrol were summoned.
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According to the release:
The Highway Patrol special response team used an armored vehicle and called for those inside to come out. Two Wooster men (ages 57 and 31) complied and left the house.
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When the third refused, the team entered the house and found the last person, a 35-year-old Wooster man, hiding in an upstairs closet.
A short standoff ensued before the man was taken into custody around noon, according to the statement.
The Wooster Police Department's detective bureau is overseeing the investigation. No charges had been filed as of late Thursday afternoon.
The three men taken into custody have active warrants and were transported to the Wayne County Jail.
"This operation was a genuine team effort, and we’re proud of all of our officers who responded to the call," the statement reads. "We would also like to thank the members of the Orrville and Ohio State Highway Patrol SRT teams who responded and provided assistance during this incident."
Reach Bryce by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com
On Twitter: @Bryce_Buyakie
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wooster 'possible hostage situation' ends with three men in custody
