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Brief standoff ends with kidnapping suspect in custody
Standoff-suspect-1042

 A standoff with a kidnapping suspect barricaded in a Conyers motel ended peacefully after the suspect gave himself up Wednesday around 5 p.m.

Deputies with the Newton County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshals had been looking for 42-year-old Michael Smith of Social Circle after a reported kidnapping Tuesday, according to Rockdale County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Cpl. Michael Camp. 

The suspect reportedly broke into his ex-girlfriend's house in Social Circle Tuesday and overpowered her, taking her firearm. He allegedly forced her to drive him to a bank in Covington where she withdrew money that he allegedly took, according to NCSO spokesperso Sgt. Michael Cunningham.

They went back to her house. Smith then left the house, driving a 2003 Ford Escape.

The 38-year-old girlfriend recevied a bump to the head but was reportedly otherwise uninjured.

US Marshals and deputies were looking for Smith in Newton County Tuesday but received information on Wednesday that he might be in a Conyers location.

When marshals arrived to the Econo Lodge on Dogwood Drive Wednesday, the suspect reportedly barricaded himself in the room.

"They attempt to make contact with him. He tells them ‘Don't come in; I'll shoot myself.' He was considered armed," said Camp.

"Once he barricaded himself in the room, we activated our SWAT team to assist," said Camp.

Negotiators with the US Marshals talked on the phone with the suspect and were able to convince him to surrender around 5 p.m. without having to use the SWAT team.

Drug paraphernalia was reportedly in the room with Smith, who was transported by ambulance. The medical testing was related to the drug paraphernalia, said Camp.

Smith will be charged with aggravated assault, robbery, theft by extortion, and posession of a firearm by a convicted felon and posession of a firearm while committing a felony.