Cigarettes Help Bring A Nearly 5 Hour Standoff To A Close In York County

ROCK HILL, SC — A SWAT standoff is over in York County after Sheriff’s deputies say the two suspects surrendered peacefully to authorities after nearly five hours.

The standoff started around 3pm when York County deputies and US Marshals reportedly tried to serve warrants on 35-year-old Jamal Lee and 34-year-old Emily Johns, who were wanted for armed robbery in Madison, Wisconsin.

Catawba Church Road between Springdale Road and Beachwood Road was closed for several hours while negotiators talked with the suspects who barricaded themselves inside a mobile home. The home reportedly belonged to an acquaintance, but officials have not released any additional information on their stay.

Authorities say the Rock Hill Police Department’s Bomb Squad robot helped bring the situation to a close by delivering cigarettes to the suspects, which helped calm them down. Soon after they were delivered, officials say the couple surrendered peacefully.

No one was injured during the standoff, and officials say no threats were ever made towards any law enforcement.

Investigators say the suspects are believed to be a couple. They reportedly had a child with them when the Wisconsin robbery was committed, but officials say no children were inside the York County home.

The couple is also believed to be responsible for another armed robbery in Minnesota, but no additional information is available on that crime.

Johns and Lee will be held at the Moss Justice Center until extradition hearings can take place.