UPDATE: Police release details, offender ID in Urbana SWAT operation

Update at 3:30 p.m.

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Urbana Police have released new details in the hostage situation Wednesday morning, including the offender’s identity.

Richard Surles, Deputy Chief of Police, said that the male offender and the victim were in a domestic relationship. When asked for clarification, he said he believes the two were boyfriend and girlfriend.

The offender entered the victim’s house through her window. She believed he then armed himself with a handgun that was already inside the house.

The victim reached out to someone out of state to tell them what had happened. The third party relayed the incident to METCAD, who sent Urbana Police to the scene around 4 a.m.

The police surrounded the house with assistance from METRO SWAT, who took control of the situation. The team tried to negotiate multiple times with the offender, who refused to come outside.

METRO SWAT then deployed chemical agents inside of the house in attempt to make the offender come out. Eventually they found him in a crawl space, where he was then arrested.

Officials identified the offender as Jacob Hill, 36, of Urbana. Hill was taken to a local hospital for to be evaluated for health after exposure to the chemical irritant agents. He then was left in the custody of the Champaign County Corrections staff.

Hill has been charged with aggravated unlawful restraint and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Surles added that Hill was already wanted from a previous domestic situation several weeks ago at the same place. He was already preliminary charged from that incident.

Public records from the Champaign County Jail show Hill has been booked into the jail 17 times since 2006, including today’s arrest. His previous charges include aggravated criminal sexual abuse, stalking, domestic battery, harassment and several violations of orders of protections among more.

Update at 11:35 a.m.

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — After an hours-long hostage situation in an Urbana neighborhood, law enforcement — include SWAT teams — are wrapping up.

Where just moments ago, armed vehicles and SWAT teams lined Sunny Lane and Washington Street, everything is now quiet as law enforcement has the suspect in custody. Now, just a few officials remain on the scene. Police say the suspect eventually surrendered and they found him in a crawl space in the home.

The situation happened just down the street from an elementary school. According to Katherine Tellez from the Urbana School District, Preston Williams Elementary School students and staff are staying inside and awaiting an all-clear from police when the situation is resolved.

Update at 11:15 a.m.

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Law enforcement has handcuffed the suspect and taken him into custody. An ambulance has just arrived and the situation remains active.

The Deputy Chief confirmed that the woman who called in the situation earlier this morning is safe and with negotiation team members.

Photos below show the moment law enforcement tore down the suspect’s garage.

Photos courtesy of Brian Turner

Update at 10:45 a.m.

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Champaign SWAT team members have loaded into an armored vehicle with shields and guns.

A large group just entered the home with guns.

Photos courtesy of Brian Turner

Update at 10:30 a.m.

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Urbana Police said they are now using chemical agents to help get the suspect out.

Update at 9:55 a.m.

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Just moments ago, smoke was seen coming from a house in the Urbana neighborhood that a SWAT team has been closing in on since early Wednesday morning.

SWAT members can be heard yelling “Come out with your hands up.” A reporter on the scene says they have a search warrant for the suspect who is still inside.

Update at 9:10 a.m.

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A WCIA reporter on the scene has confirmed that the SWAT team is moving in.

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Urbana Police Department has released a statement that METRO SWAT is currently conducting operations in Urbana following an early morning hostage situation.

Deputy Chief of Police, Rich Surles, said that on May 8, 2024, at approximately 4 a.m., Urbana police officers responded to a call about a possible hostage situation in the 700 block of Sunny Lane. Officers arrived and were ultimately able to make contact with a woman who had reported the incident. Officers were able to secure her safety and isolate the involved residence.

METRO SWAT is currently conducting tactical operations to locate the other party, who is believed to be armed. As a result of this SWAT operation, all pedestrian and vehicular traffic is being limited in the area of the 500, 600, and 700 blocks of Sunny Lane.

As the block is on lockdown, Urbana police is securing the area. If any persons need to exit this area, please contact METCAD 911 at 217-333-8911. They will arrange for a patrol officer to come and escort people out of the area.

Just nearby is the Preston Williams Elementary School. Surles confirmed that he has been in touch with the Urbana Superintendent and that the school is on a soft lockdown.

Surles added that no further information will be released at this time.

Urbana Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 217-384-2320. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at 217-373-TIPS (217-373-8477); online at 373tips.com; or the “P3 Tips” mobile app.

This is a developing story.

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