Police arrest alleged rapist after five-hour hostage situation that includes girl aged seven

Police have arrested a rape suspect in the US after a stand-off at a Baltimore Burger King ended peacefully.

The suspect had taken hostages, including a seven-year-old girl, at the fast food outlet and swarms of police, including SWAT teams, surrounded the restaurant for more than five hours.

Baltimore Police said Sunday afternoon that the suspect was in custody and the hostages were unharmed.

Massive Anne Arundel County Police caravan just arrived at barricade situation at #Baltimore Burger King #WBAL pic.twitter.com/65PJUl3JKW

— IG: @Vanessa__Herring (@VanessaHerring) July 17, 2016

Police spokesman T.J. Smith said two of the hostages were Burger King employees.

Police negotiators worked to get the suspect to end the situation without violence and Smith said police were grateful that the suspect surrendered.

"He made the decision to do the right thing and that was not harm anyone," Smith said. "He absolutely had the opportunity to do so, but he chose not to do so."

LIVE on #Periscope: Peaceful ending to Burger King Barricade, #Baltimore https://t.co/K3TUmYRaro

— Baltimore Police (@BaltimorePolice) July 17, 2016

Smith said the suspect is wanted on an active warrant for rape and was spotted driving Sunday morning. Police tried to pull the suspect over, but the suspect fled and led police on a chase. The pursuit ended when the suspect crashed into another vehicle, then fled by foot while carrying what Smith said was "believed to be a handgun" into the Burger King in Southwest Baltimore.

Police did not release the suspect's name, but said he's wanted on an alleged rape that occurred within the last two days.

Smith said the driver of the vehicle who was hit by the suspect's vehicle received minor injuries.