2 Children Rescued After Hours-Long Standoff With Kidnapping Suspect In Stamford: PD

STAMFORD, CT — Two children were rescued after an hours-long standoff with a kidnapping suspect in Stamford on Sunday, according to police.

The Newington Police Department said the suspect is now in custody - a man identified as John Lacen-Romero, 36, of Newington.

NPD said they were dispatched to an undisclosed location in Newington for a reported domestic disturbance on Sept. 21 at approximately 12:10 p.m. Police accused Lacen-Romero of assaulting a woman at the residence.

"Following the incident, Lacen-Romero removed two juveniles from the home, placing them in a vehicle, and left the area," NPD said in a news release.

Newington police began to work with other law enforcement partners "in an effort to locate the vehicle and ensure the safety of the children," police said.

Stamford police located a vehicle wanted in connection with the incident around 1:45 p.m., according to police.

"The suspect vehicle engaged Stamford Police officers in pursuit and was involved in numerous motor vehicle accidents. During the pursuit the vehicle entered onto I-95 southbound and exited off exit 7, where it struck another vehicle and became disabled in the roadway," Capt. Thomas Scanlon of the SPD said in a news release late Sunday night.

Units from the SPD Patrol Division, Special Response Team (SRT), hostage negotiation team, CT State Police, Stamford Fire Department, Stamford EMS and NPD - with the assistance of drones - "responded and managed the incident for hours," Scanlon said.

Assistant Stamford Police Chief Richard Conklin told Patch there were "intense and close negotiations with this father who was unfortunately holding his two minor children in a vehicle as hostages."

At approximately 8:45 p.m., members of the SRT team "took deliberate action due to the overwhelming concern for the two children in the vehicle," Scanlon noted. The children were then taken to an area hospital for evaluation.

Conklin said Lacen-Romero struggled with officers and was eventually tased before he was taken into custody.

The intersection of North State and Canal streets was completely blocked for hours on Sunday, and police urged residents to stay away from the area. I-95 southbound exit 7 was closed as well.

The roadways reopened late Sunday.

An investigation is ongoing, NPD said, and additional details, including charges for Lacen-Romero will be released as they become available. He is also expected to face numerous charges in Stamford, according to Conklin.

"The Newington Police Department would like to thank the Stamford Police Department, Connecticut State Police, and all others for their swift response and assistance in ensuring the safe recovery of the juveniles," NPD said.