Children held hostage in standoff

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A 31-year-old New Haven man was arrested after he lead police on a chase and then held children hostage to avoid arrest.

Police say they were looking for David Lilly, who has a long list of felony convictions, after they received a tip he was in possession of drugs and a handgun.

On Tuesday, officers spotted Lilly driving down Redfield Street in New Haven. The car was pulled over on Columbus Avenue, but Lilly sped off when he was ordered to get out of the car.

Officers reported there was a woman in the car. During the chase, she told Lilly she wanted to get out, but he refused to stop the car. When the car slowed to make a turn, the woman tucked her body and rolled out. She wasn't hurt.

Police followed Lilly to County Street where he got out and ran into a home on Orchard Street. Once inside, Lilly grabbed a 10-year-old girl and broke into an apartment on the third floor. Two other children followed him inside.

Lilly is said to have offered the woman inside the apartment money if she kept quiet, but she demanded he get out of the apartment and leave the children with her. He did and headed to an apartment on the second floor.

Officers were able to make contact with Lilly. After speaking with his sister, Lilly allowed police to arrest him.

None of the children were harmed in the incident.

Lilly was charged with home invasion, two counts of kidnapping, burglary, two counts of reckless endangerment, five counts of risk of injury to a minor, interfering with police officers, reckless driving, engaging officers in a pursuit and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license.

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