Suspect charged in SE Houston SWAT scene allegedly set fire to home in previous incident, HPD says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A suspect is in custody after a frantic SWAT situation involving a hostage, leading officers to deploy flash bangs in southeast Houston on Wednesday evening, according to the Houston Police Department.

The scene unfolded at a hotel on Cityscape Avenue near Almeda Genoa Road around 10 p.m.

HPD said there was a report of a woman being held inside the room with her boyfriend, who would not let her leave. Officers arrived at the scene and were unable to make contact with the woman, but eventually communicated with her through her brother, whom she had previously texted regarding the incident.

The SWAT team was deployed after and talked with the suspect, who HPD said was being uncooperative and wouldn't confirm if the woman was OK.

SWAT officers, HPD said, made the decision to breach the door by using a small explosive device, called a charge, and used flash bangs to distract the suspect.

The woman was rescued, and the suspect was arrested after being treated at the hospital.

Officials said the suspect did not have any weapons, and none were found at the scene.

According to HPD, it was found that there was a continuing pattern of violence between the suspect and victim, and the incident was not the first time the suspect had been involved in a SWAT situation.

HPD said in the previous incident, the suspect refused to come out of the home and set it on fire before officers retrieved him. It is unclear what led to that scene.

The suspect will be charged with unlawful restraint.