NSP: Reported kidnapping leads to 6-hour standoff, arrest

Authorities say a reported kidnapping led to an hours-long standoff in central Nebraska. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Authorities say a reported kidnapping led to an hours-long standoff in central Nebraska.

The Nebraska State Patrol says a SWAT team responded to a home in Hayes Center just after 8 a.m. Wednesday, after receiving reports the suspect in a possible kidnapping was in the area.

The alleged victim was located before the patrol arrived, but the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Robert Smith, of Hershey, was still at large.

The patrol says negotiators communicated with Smith for more than six hours before he voluntarily came out of the home around 2:45 p.m.

Smith was arrested for kidnapping and use of a weapon to commit a felony. He was lodged in Lincoln County Jail.