Reported hostage situation was unfounded, Reading police say

A massive police presence Thursday afternoon in Reading for a reported hostage situation was determined to be unfounded.

Police in Reading closed the 700 Block of North 8th Street for the incident. A special operations team was called to the scene, and could be heard on a megaphone calling to a person inside a home located mid-block.

Following a brief stand-off, a loud bang from a stun grenade was heard as the tactical team entered the home. Police cleared the area just before 4pm.

Police provided the following statement on the incident: “We were responding to reports of a hostage taking, it was determined to be unfounded and there is no danger to the public.”