News

Cave-In-Rock man charged in hostage situation, standoff

Posted February 16, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

CAVE-IN-ROCK, Ill. (AP) - A 36-year-old southern Illinois man has been arrested following a short standoff with police.

According to a press release, Hardin County authorities responded to a report of a barricaded hostage situation near Cave-In-Rock on Sunday. Illinois State Police says a woman called 911 after escaping from an armed man inside a home. She told police the man fired shots inside the home and her three children were still inside.

Police say Clarence Harley Smock of Cave-In-Rock was arrested about an hour and a half later when he tried to leave the home. He's charged with aggravated unlawful restraint, aggravated discharge of a firearm and domestic battery.

Smock is being held in the Massac County Jail on $100,000 bail. It wasn't immediately clear if he has an attorney.

Authorities say the children were unharmed.

Article Comments

Article Categories
Illinois News Region

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.