Standoff ends with arrests

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 9, 2000

ST. PETERSBURG -- A man and a woman were arrested early Saturday after their private dispute escalated into an eight-hour standoff with police.

Police said Wendy E. Cummings, 26, greeted them at about 1:30 a.m. from behind the door at 20301/2 Queensboro Ave. S. She said everything was fine, but she silently mouthed to them not to leave.

Officers could see the residence was in disarray and could hear a man inside telling Cummings not to let police in. There were indications he was armed, police said.

After hours of negotiation by a police SWAT team, the man allowed Cummings to leave the home at 8 a.m.

By 9:45 a.m. the man surrendered as well. He was identified as Charles Robert Lynn, 45, of St. Petersburg. Police said Lynn's mother helped in the negotiations. He was held Saturday at Pinellas County Jail on charges of aggravated assault, false imprisonment and domestic battery.

Cummings was taken to the jail as well after officers discovered warrants for her on two charges of aggravated battery.

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