MPPD SWAT assists in hostage standoff

A hostage standoff unfolded late in the day June 11 as Pittsburg Police Department officers arrived at a home with an arrest warrant. According to a press statement issued by Pittsburg Police Chief Richard Penn, officers went to a residence in the 300 block of Cypress Street at approximately 10:19 p.m. to serve a felony arrest warrant to 27-year-old Jesus Hilario Amaya, Jr. “The arrest warrant charged Amaya with Aggravated Assault causing Serious Bodily Injury. Amaya went back into the residence where he barricaded himself and held a female against her will in the residence,” Penn said in the statement. With the attempted arrest escalating, PPD officers requested backup. “Based on the hostage being present, the Mount Pleasant SWAT team and negotiators were requested and responded to the location,” Penn said in the statement. Camp County Sheriff ’s Office deputies and Camp County Constables also responded to the hostage situation, which continued for nearly four hours. “The hostage was eventually released, and the suspect was taken into custody at approximately 2:07 a.m.,” the release states. “He was booked into the Camp County Jail and will face additional charges.” According jail records, Amaya was charged with Aggravated Kidnapping and remained in custody.