A rape suspect who was in a standoff Sunday with Baltimore police has been taken into custody after he ran into a local Burger King and took hostages, including a 7-year-old girl.
(FOX)- The unnamed suspect ended up at the restaurant around 11:30 a.m. after he led police on a chase. Police said he appeared to have a gun and took “about four” hostages –the girl and three adults.
Just before 4 p.m. police said two of the hostages had been released. The child was not one of them.
Swarms of police, including a SWAT team, surrounded the restaurant and police spokesman T.J. Smith said negotiators were trying to resolve the situation peacefully and quickly. One officer carrying an assault rifle ordered people to clear nearby Carroll Park, the Baltimore Sun reported.
“Our ultimate goal is to end this peacefully for all parties,” Smith said at a news conference.
Smith said the suspect is wanted on an active warrant for rape and was spotted driving Sunday morning. Police tried to pull the suspect over, but the suspect fled and led police on a chase. The pursuit ended when the suspect crashed into another vehicle and then ran into the Burger King.
Police said the man is wanted for an alleged rape that occurred within the past two days.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.