Troopers Defuse

Hostage Crisis

In Worcester

WORCESTER – A hostage situation on Main Street yesterday afternoon ended with two people safe and a shotgun-toting 20-year-old man in custody, state police are reporting this morning.

At about 2:15 p.m., troopers were dispatched by 911.  when they arrived, the hostages exited the front of the residence but the suspect, Edgar R. Gonzalez-Francis, remained inside, reportedly armed with a shotgun, Troop C’s Public Information Office reports.

A perimeter was established and Worcester Central School placed on lockdown.  Attempts to make contact with Gonzales-Francis were unsuccessful.

A short time later, however, the suspect was located at a nearby location and taken into custody without incident at about 5:05 p.m.  The shotgun was recovered near the home, police said.

Gonzalez-Francis was arraigned in the Town of Worcester Court for the felony of Unlawful Imprisonment in the first degree, and the misdemeanors of Menacing in the second degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the fourth degree.

He is in Otsego County Jail on $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 property bond.