SAN ANTONIO — What began as an outcry for help by a robbery victim turned into a six hour ordeal at a northeast side motel.
Police say an injured man flagged down a passing officer during the 4 a.m. hour, saying he had been assaulted and robbed by several people.
"The victim was bruised and bleeding from several areas of his body," said SAPD spokesperson Ximena Alvarez.
Alvarez said an effort to find the people responsible resulted in a room to room search at the Motel 6 near I-35 and Rittiman Road.
When the suspects failed to surrender, police called for more officers.
Not knowing if their suspects were armed, they called for SWAT and tactical help.
For hours they used a loud speaker to address the people they felt were sequestered in a second floor room.
They repeatedly told the suspects to follow instructions, leave the room and reveal themselves with their hands up.
With armored vehicles and long guns, authorities tried to coax the suspects into surrendering.
Witnesses who gathered in a nearby parking lot to watch the negotiations said disturbances like this are common in this area.
"They just took four girls out. They shot the windows out. Two of the girls were screaming help me! He won't let me out!" said Rick, a witness who recorded the confrontation on his cell phone.
While police declined to say whether the women were trafficking victims, they did eventually take one man and one woman into custody.
The names of the arrested persons will become available after they have made their initial appearance before a magistrate.
Police did not release an update on the condition of the victim.