A quiet Hempstead neighborhood was the scene of 12-hour police standoff when a man held his girlfriend and her children hostage Wednesday.

Police went to interview 27-year-old Emory Roberts concerning a court case around 10 p.m. Tuesday. Police say he refused to come out of the apartment. SWAT teams descended on the building as they tried to peacefully negotiate with Roberts. Roberts finally surrendered around 10 a.m. Wednesday and his girlfriend and her children were unharmed. Roberts is charged with criminal contempt and aggravated harassment.