News

12:20 UPDATE:

      Pennsylvania state police identify the suspect in the standoff as 37 year old Steven Brown of Rome, PA. Brown is charged with Kidnapping, Unlawful Restraint, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Terroristic Threats.
     State Police say Brown and the victim went to the Dandy Mini Mart in Rome; the victim went inside and told employees she was being held against her will, and if she didn't go back out to the car, Brown would come in the store and start shooting people. The victim made a purchase and left the store. Employees called 911 and reported the incident to police.
     After he was taken into police custody around 11:30 Tuesday night, he was taken to Robert Packer Hospital to be evaulated for suspected use of bath salts. Brown is now in the Bradford County Jail on $500,000 bail.

Update: October 24, 2012

Police tell WENY-TV News the man who sparked the standoff was taken into custody just before midnight.

According to Pennsylvania State Police in Towanda, the stand-off began before 10 Tuesday morning, when police received a call of reported domestic violence at a residence on North Rome Road.

Allegedly, the unnamed man was holding a woman against her will in the home and wouldn't leave. After more than 12 hours, the man was taken into custody by Pennsylvania State Police.

The woman was not injured.

October 23, 2012

ROME, PA (WENY) - Police and emergency crews are in a reported stand-off in the Northern Tier.

Authorities have closed off the area, and they've battled the rain and cold for more than 12 hours. Emergency crews say they've been on scene since 10 o'clock this morning but no other information is being released.

Family members on scene say there is a man and a woman inside a house. They say they're related to the woman, who is in a relationship with the man she's holed up with, and there's a history of violence between the two.

Crews were at the intersection of Robinson Road and North Rome Road in Rome Township Pennsylvania. The family members say a 35 year-old man is holding a woman hostage inside the house with a gun.

The woman's daughter says her mom is in a relationship with the man who is holding her hostage. She also says he has a history of violence, and drug use.

Karen Bixby is the captain for the Ulster Tri-Town Ambulance but also lives in Ulster and is a part of the small community.

"Terrified, it's the unknown, you don't know what's going to happen so everyone kind of huddles in their home and hopes the state police take care of it quickly," says Bixby.

Part of North Rome Road is closed off.