Police rescue family held hostage by ex-husband in Riyadh

JEDDAH: Riyadh police on Wednesday raided a residential building to the west of the capital to free a Saudi woman, her daughter and a housemaid held captive by the woman’s ex-husband.
The man was described as a Saudi in his 40s, and in possession of two weapons and live ammunition.
Alerraiga police station received a distress call from a Saudi woman saying her ex-husband was holding her, her daughter and a maid inside the house under the threat of an automatic weapon and a pistol.
Riyadh police formed a security task force with the support of the special-operations task force and the Civil Defense to deal with the distress call, considering the safety and security of the people detained under threat.
The assigned task force went to the scene, where the assailant was seen taking up a position in front of the main gate. When he saw the task force approaching, he started shooting, taking shelter inside the building. The task force entered in the building with the help of the Civil Defense.
Troops landed on the roof and broke into the building to surprise the offender and take control after he fired at the task force. There were no casualties. Police found in his possession an automatic weapon, handgun and live ammunition.
He was arrested and detained at the police station. The weapons and ammunition were confiscated.