Michael Crawford, Jr.

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Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

A man who reportedly held three people at gunpoint Thursday has been taken into custody and charged. Michael P. Crawford, Jr., 34, of 1914 Grand Ave., Cincinnati, now faces charges of kidnapping and having weapons while under disability.

According to the police report, officers were called to 2431 Scioto Trail where one of the residents were advising that a man by the name of Mike had a pistol and was holding them against their will. While the officers were on their way to the scene, they were advised through dispatch that the three were upstairs with the armed man and two female companions downstairs. The caller told dispatch the back door was nailed shut and the front door locked with a dead bolt. The caller said the assailant had displayed the gun to them and that it was “cocked and loaded.” He also informed police Crawford had accused them of taking money and told them no one was leaving the house.

Officers set up a perimeter around the house and saw a woman in the upstairs window. The woman, another woman and a man climbed out onto the front porch roof, and officers motioned them to go to the north side of the roof away from windows for their safety. One officer covered the upstairs windows with his pistol.

Two other officers arrived at the scene and assisted in securing the perimeter, and the Portsmouth Fire Department was called to respond with a ladder truck. One officer responded to the roof and assisted the three in getting down from the roof.

A man exited the house talking on a cell phone. He was immediately ordered to the ground. No weapon was found during a pat down. He was asked if anyone else was in the house and he told officers there was a man and two women inside. Officers entered the house and found only the two women. After a search, officers identified the man as Crawford.

The two women who were reportedly Crawford’s companions were questioned, and the three residents of the house were escorted back into the house. The having a weapon while under disability charge was added when officers documented Crawford had a previous robbery charge.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com