3 In Police Custody After Canonsburg Home Invasion, Standoff
CANONSBURG (KDKA) -- Three men are in police custody following an early morning home invasion and standoff that sent the SWAT team to Washington County.
The incident closed down South Central Avenue between Boone Avenue and Elm Street in Canonsburg. Police were first called to the scene around 3 a.m.
The footprint can still be seen on the door where the three masked men entered the residence.
Police have identified the suspects as 18-year-old Brennan Cole, 19-year-old Jovontai Graham and 18-year-old Brandon Trent.
According to authorities, one was armed with a BB gun, and another with a handgun.
Police say they took the two residents inside hostage while they attempted to steal things from the home.
"Put a gun to their head, dragged them out at gunpoint. Put them on their knees on the floor, and I think just my officer answering quick enough and responding stopped the whole thing," said Chief R.T. Bell, of the Canonsburg Police Department. "Where they were going to go with it, what their intentions were, we don't know."
Police were able to respond quickly thanks to a 911 call from a neighbor who heard noises in the apartment.
Police safely got the residents out of the home and two of the suspects came out soon after. But SWAT was called in after Cole refused to come out.
Neighbors were evacuated from the area. Except for the woman who lives next door; petrified, she waited anxiously inside her home until police cleared the scene.
"I looked out and saw all the SWAT team and the guns and stuff like that," said Colleen Domick, a neighbor. "I just stayed back."
Police say the Cole eventually came out of the building around 6:30 a.m. and was then taken into custody.
"He was defiant till the end," said Chief Bell. "He wouldn't come out with the other two. I think finally when he realized SWAT was coming through the door; it was time to come out."
The three teens are facing charges of robbery, terroristic threats, firearms violations and criminal conspiracy charges.
No injuries were reported in the incident. The road has since reopened.
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