Dispute Over ‘Escort Fee’ Leads To St. Pete Standoff

Police say the man involved in a hostage situation in St. Petersburg has given up and surrendered to police peacefully.

Man gives himself up to #sppd after 2 hour standoff

— St. Pete Police (@StPetePD) February 17, 2015

Casey Joseph Lowe, 20, refused to pay an escort and would not let her leave. The woman was able to get a text message out to someone who called police.

SWAT had been called out to 5931 13 Street North, after receiving reports of a man holed up inside who was holding a woman hostage.

He gave up after a 2-hour standoff. Police believe he was armed.

No schools were placed on lockdown.

The man has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and false imprisonment.

Police say the man’s mother and 15-year-old sister were inside the home at the time of the standoff. No shots were fired and no injuries were reported.