Man holding 3 hostages at motel surrenders

updated 4:45 p.m. ET Jan. 5, 2009

MADISON, Ga. - A former South Carolina policeman who fired shots from a Georgia motel while holding his infant son and two women hostage surrendered peacefully Monday after a 13-hour standoff.

FBI spokesman Steve Lazarus said David Dietz, 25, surrendered around 9:15 a.m. at the Red Roof Inn off Interstate 20 about 60 miles east of Atlanta.

Dietz had been holed up in a second-floor room with the infant, Allim David Dietz, his estranged wife, 29-year-old Eva Arce-Perez, and 17-year-old Jamie Lynn Burgess.

South Carolina police reports showed authorities were called twice last year to domestic disturbances between Dietz and Arce-Perez.

Authorities said Dietz was suspected of kidnapping the three Saturday night in West Columbia, S.C., while wearing a black uniform emblazoned with the word "police." The standoff started Sunday night after authorities issued a missing-child alert and learned Dietz might be headed in the direction of Atlanta.

Georgia State Patrol officers spotted Dietz's sport utility vehicle in the motel parking lot and called for assistance. Police say Dietz fired shots from his room and authorities evacuated other guests from the three-story motel.

Lazarus said Dietz was placed in federal custody and will be charged with kidnapping in South Carolina.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation on Monday obtained state warrants charging Dietz with five counts of aggravated assault for allegedly firing on federal, state and local law enforcement officers Sunday night, GBI spokesman John Bankhead said. Other state charges are possible, he said.

Domestic violence history
Dietz stepped onto the walkway outside the motel room holding the baby in his arms as he surrendered to police.

Witnesses said a younger woman who emerged from the room, believed to be the 17-year-old, also was placed in a sheriff's car and driven away. Georgia State Patrol Lt. Paul Cosper said he could not confirm who the woman in the patrol car was and authorities have not released details about Dietz' relationship with the younger woman.

In December, Arce-Perez called police to her home in West Columbia and claimed Dietz threatened her.

"She stated that he called her wanting to see the baby even if he had to kick the door in," West Columbia Police Chief Dennis Tyndall said.

Dietz was also arrested by Richland County, S.C., police in 2008 for criminal domestic violence after a fight with his estranged wife, according to a police report.

Columbia, S.C., police spokesman Brick Lewis said Dietz was hired by the department in June 2006 but resigned in October 2006 without giving a reason and on "good terms" with the department.

Dietz also worked as a probation officer until August 2007, said Pete O'Boyle, spokesman for the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

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