Creston Avenue Hostage Situation Resolved

By CHRIS MATTHEWS

Crisis was averted today as the hostage situation on Creston Aveune ended without violence. Camilo Mejias, 27, released his infant son Matthew into the custody of the NYPD at 5 p.m. and surrendered himself shortly thereafter.

“Anytime we get someone out successfully it’s a 10, so we’re very happy about the outcome of this,” said Lt. Jack Cambria, commanding officer of the hostage negotiation team.

The happy ending brought welcome close to a nerve-racking day. All told, the hostage stand-off lasted nearly ten hours. Onlookers cheered as news that Matthew was safe spread.

Detectives Robert Yaeger and Jose Martinez led the negotiations that led to Mejias’ surrender. They explained that officers were able to observe Mejias the entire day and never feared for the childrens’ safety. “At no time did we feel the two children were in danger at all,” said Lt. Cambria. “Time was on our side. If we would have rushed in, we don’t know if he does in fact have a weapon or any mechanism to hurt that baby.”

Coincidentally, today marks the 35th anniversary of the formation of the NYPD hostage negotiation team. The forces’ negotiators were at a conference downtown celebrating the day when they received word of the events transpiring in the Bronx. Cambria explained that he immediately dispatched negotiators to the scene.

According to his family, Mejias simply wanted to see his son. His wife had obtained a protective order against him and he feared he would be unable to visit Matthew. “He cried two months straight because he couldn’t see his son,” said Jose Mejias, Camilo’s brother. “What should a man do when he is desperate?”

Jose Mejias explained that he and his brother had been drinking the night before and had discussed his plight. “ ‘Please let me see my child,’ he would say,” explained Mejias. “He got drunk and things happen.”

Police confirmed that Mejias did not appear to have sinister intentions. “He seemed to be a very caring, nurturing father,” Lt. Cambria said. “He was changing the baby’s diapers, he was feeding the baby.”

Though the day ended happily, the bigger picture paints a sad story. A loving, though troubled, father is likely headed to prison and his son deprived of his presence. “I can understand, everybody wants to see their children, that’s the most important thing in the world to you as a parent,” said Det. Yaeger.

Man Holds Two Kids Hostage in Creston Avenue Apartment

By CHRIS MATTHEWS

Two children were taken hostage this morning at 2015 Creston Ave., at the corner of Bush Street. Franklin Espinal, 10, and his half-brother Matthew, 11 months, were held against their will in their first-story apartment by Matthew’s father, Camilo Mejias. As of 3:30 p.m., Mejias remains in the building with Matthew. Franklin was released earlier this afternoon.

Mejias forced his way into his estranged spouse, Rosemary Espinal’s apartment sometime before 7:30 a.m. this morning, family members at the scene said. After entering, Mejias expelled Espinal, the boys’ mother, from the apartment. Rumors swirled that Mejias did not have a gun but might be using a household object as a weapon.

"He’s a crazy guy," said Milvea Espinal, Rosemary’s stepsister, adding that Mejias has a history of substance abuse and abusive behavior. Police officers at the scene confirmed this report.



Rosemary Espinal separated from Mejias four months ago and obtained a restraining order against him. Mejias was arrested in his New Jersey home a month ago for attempting to visit her at 2015 Creston Ave. He returned to the address this morning and a crisis ensued.

While Mejias has had his share of problems, this morning’s events came as a shock. “We are surprised. We never expected him to do something like this,” said Milvea Espinal. With tears streaming down his face, Leonardo Espinal, Rosemary's father, said that Mejias was drunk when he showed up this morning.

As the dramatic scene unfolded, a slew of reporters and scores of curious onlookers gathered to watch. A police helicopter hovering overhead, Television crews filmed as Creston Avenue filled with countless police cruisers and Technical Assistance Response Units (TARU). A foreboding SWAT vehicle was parked directly in front of 2015 and officers in full body armor (pictured above) could be seen surveying Espinal’s apartment.

Espinal sat in a police cruiser as negotiators attempted to reason with Mejias. At 1:15 p.m. Mejias released Franklin who was quickly escorted to his worried mother. Though Mejias is still holding Matthew hostage, Espinal remains hopeful. “She is calm. She knows the police know how to handle this,” said her stepsister.


Photos by JAMES FERGUSSON (top, officers outside 1520 Creston Ave., directly above, Franklin Espinal, 10, being comforted by his mother, following his release).