PPD arrest warrant escalates to hostage situation Mount Pleasant SWAT, negotiators called to assist

By LYNDA STRINGER
news@campcountynow.com

A hostage situation unfolded late Monday as Pittsburg Police Department officers
arrived at a home with an arrest warrant.
According to a press statement issued Tuesday morning 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 as of 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Mount Pleasant Police Chief Wayne Isbell told The Gazette he could not comment on
his department’s response to the case.
No additional information is available at this time.