Arrest after five-hour hostage situation
A man has been arrested following a major police operation where a woman was allegedly held hostage for five hours.
Emergency services were called to the Homestead Motel on Cherry St at Ballina on the NSW north Coast at 12pm Friday.
Officers from Richmond Police District were called to the motel regarding a concern for welfare call.
NSW Police told NewsWire that officers were told a man aged in his 30s was inside one of the units allegedly holding a 29-year-old woman against her will.
Ambulance crews and fire services were on standby as police responded to the incident over five hours.
Members of the public reported on social media the man was allegedly holding a person hostage at the motel.
“Following a five-hour police operation, the man was arrested at 5pm,” NSW Police said.
The woman was released without injuries.
The man was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station where he is assisting police with inquiries.
Investigations into the incident are continuing.