News

     ROME, PA (WENY) -- Pennsylvania Police say quick thinking by the hostage, and quick actions by employees at the rome Dandy Mini Mart led to a fast police response in yesterday's standoff in Rome.
    State Police say the suspect is 37 year old Steven Brown of Rome, who's now in the Bradford County jail on several charges, including Kidnapping.
     Investigators say Brown and the victim stopped at the Dandy Mini Mart in Rome around 9 in the morning, and the victim went inside the store to buy something. While she was inside, she told employees her Brown was holding her against her will, and if she didn't get back to the car fast, he would come in and start shooting.
     After the victim left, an employee called 9-1-1. Within 20 minutes, state troopers converged on the couple's home on North Rome Road, and set up a perimeter. The victim was able to get out  of the house safely by 11AM, and told the cops Brown threatened to kill her and had guns in the house. The standoff lasted for another 12 hours, ending around 11:30PM when police arrested Brown. 
      Brown was taken to Robert Packer Hospital, where he was evaluated for suspected use of bath salts. He's now in the  Bradford County jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.