Trending
NEWTON FALLS -- Newton Falls police have arrested a man in connection with a domestic violence incident and standoff at the Newton Village Apartments that began just before 10 p.m. Tuesday.
Police Chief John Barco said the Trumbull County 911 Center received a third-party text message from an individual concerned for the safety of a friend who was reportedly involved in a domestic disturbance with her boyfriend Tuesday at the Newton Village Apartments, 609 Ridge Road.
When police arrived, officers attempted to make contact with the occupants but the man inside the apartment refused to open the door, the police report states. During the incident, the man, later identified as Michael Connor, 23, made statements indicating he intended to provoke a confrontation with law enforcement while threatening to broadcast the encounter on social media.
Barco said a trained crisis negotiator established communication with Connor, who ultimately agreed to release the victim and a 1-year-old child from the apartment. Members of the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force SWAT Team responded to assist.
After continued negotiations, the SWAT team made entry into the apartment and took Connor into custody early Wednesday morning without incident. He was transported to the Trumbull County jail and charged with kidnapping, domestic violence and inducing panic.
Newton Falls police were assisted during the incident by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Trumbull County Sheriff's Office, Warren Township Police Department, Lordstown Police Department, the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force and Trumbull County 911 dispatch.
"Their professionalism and coordinated response contributed to the safe resolution of this incident," Barco said.