Suspect identified in Columbia hostage situation
Police have identified the suspect in a Friday morning hostage situation as Kraig Greene.
The situation started shortly before 6:45 a.m. when police responded to reports of a hostage incident on West Sexton Road. They were told a woman reported being held against her will by a man with a gun.
When they arrived, officers chased the suspect for a short time, eventually catching him on Business Loop 70 near Parkade Plaza.
Further investigation revealed Greene allegedly forced the woman to leave a home on Monroe Street with him. Greene, who may have been armed at the time, then allegedly forced the woman to perform a sexual act on him in a car. Police say he then drove the woman to West Sexton, where she was to perform a sexual act with a second man in exchange for money. The victim was able to get a phone, however, and call police.
Greene was arrested on suspicion of trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, sodomy, and kidnapping.
Michelle Baumstark with Columbia Public Schools said police notified her about the suspect in the area near Parkade Elementary School.
Baumstark said CPS sent its safety and security officers to the area, but said police notified her shortly after that the suspect was in custody. School was not yet in session at the time of the foot chase.
