A man is in custody after he allegedly held his ex-girlfriend and her son hostage during a standoff situation in Chester Monday morning.
Investigators say the ordeal began around 8 a.m. when two children at a Chester School told a school resource officer that their mother and 5-year-old brother were being held hostage by a man armed with a gun, later identified as 26-year-old Allen Freeman.
Police and a SWAT team surrounded the home on 22nd Street in Chester and negotiators were brought in. As officials established a perimeter, Freeman allegedly threatened to shoot if any officers came inside.
Police say they then heard the sound of screaming and a child yelling, “get off my mother.” The officers began their emergency assault plan and a SWAT team rushed into the home. Police found Freeman inside and took him into custody, according to officials.
Investigators say a SWAT officer suffered a minor injury when he entered the house. No one else was hurt however.
Police say Freeman had broken into the house Sunday night by climbing through a basement window. He is charged with assault and other related offenses. Investigators also say he has a lengthy criminal record for thefts, drugs and other related incidents.
Freeman is the ex-boyfriend of the woman he held hostage, police said. Police advised the woman to get a protection from abuse order against him.
