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Camby's sister held hostage Knife-wielding man apprehended after 8-hour standoff
Updated: Monday April 23, 2001 9:01 PM
SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (AP) -- A Hartford man faces charges of kidnapping and first-degree sexual assault after an eight-hour standoff at the home of NBA star Marcus Camby's mother. Troy Crooms, 28, dropped a kitchen knife and surrendered peacefully Monday morning after holding Camby's mother and two sisters hostage for several hours. Police said the man was known to the Camby family. The mother had called police earlier this month about a dispute at the home, and police questioned Crooms and one of Camby's sisters at the time but did not file any charges, South Windsor police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Reed said. Crooms is listed in the state's "Megan's Law" database of sex offenders because of a 1993 conviction for third-degree sexual assault. Crooms has also been convicted of forgery, possession of narcotics, creating a public disturbance and failing to appear in court, according to Reed and Hartford police spokesman Lt. Neil Dryfe. Crooms was charged Monday with sexual assault, burglary, kidnapping, assault, unlawful restraint and possession of a weapon. Police said the sexual assault occurred prior to the standoff. Bail was set at $500,000 and Crooms was scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in Manchester Superior Court.
Rick Kaplan, Camby's business manager, said described the New York Knick star as "distraught" Monday night. "It's just mind-boggling," Kaplan said. "Marcus has a fatherly approach to his sisters, because there is no other father figure. Just looking at him, you can just see his personal anguish." Police arrived at the home around 3:30 a.m. Monday after a report of domestic violence. Officers found a man holding a knife to the throat of one of Camby's sisters, according to Reed. Police then opted to withdraw because Crooms demanded it. Camby's mother left with police. It was not clear how long Crooms had been in the house before police were called. The other sister escaped through a second-floor window at the back of the house around 8 a.m. after police put a ladder to the window, Reed said. Crooms' only demand was to speak with Marcus Camby, Reed said. The 6-foot-11 center for the New York Knicks arrived at the house at 8 a.m., but did not speak to Crooms. Instead, he stood out in the driveway, where he was visible to the people inside. Police remained in contact with Crooms and a negotiator from the Capitol Region Emergency Services Team, a cooperative effort of local police departments, was allowed to enter the home around 9 a.m. The CREST negotiator later left the home but remained in touch by phone, Reed said. Crooms surrendered just after 11 a.m. without speaking to Camby, Reed said. "Apparently he felt satisfied with Marcus showing up and appearing in the driveway," Reed said. The sister held at knifepoint was taken to Hartford Hospital and was treated for injuries to her arm, hand and head, Reed said. The Knicks and the Toronto Raptors -- the team that first drafted Camby in 1996 -- are in the midst of a first-round playoff series. New York won the opening game Sunday; the second game in the best-of-five series is Thursday night. Camby plans to meet with the media about the incident when he rejoins the Knicks Tuesday or Wednesday, Kaplan said. The Knicks sent general manager Scott Layden to South Windsor while the team was at its practice facility in Purchase, N.Y. "This is not a distraction -- let's not trivialize it," Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy said before learning the standoff was over. "This is life and death." Teammate Glen Rice added: "Right now, basketball is not a high priority. Everybody's mind is strictly on Marcus." Marcus Camby purchased the home for his mother in 1996 for $462,000. The affluent neighborhood features upscale homes on large lots.
Camby, a former high school star in Hartford, was the second
player selected in the NBA draft in 1996 out of the University of
Massachusetts.
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