A 23-year-old East Baltimore man, who police said was upset with his mother, briefly took her hostage and then refused to come out of his rowhouse, prompting police to block off several streets as they negotiated his surrender yesterday.

Police said Damien White surrendered at 10: 15 a.m., about two hours after the incident began. He was charged with first- and second-degree assault and was being held in the Central Booking and Intake Center pending a bail review. He lived with his 49-year-old mother in the 1700 block of E. Oliver St.

Agent Angelique Cook-Hayes, a police spokeswoman, said the incident occurred about 8 a.m. after an argument between White and his mother, Rosalyn West. "He threatened to hurt her," Cook-Hayes said. "He said he had a gun, and he wouldn't let her leave the home."

But about 8: 15 a.m., Cook-Hayes said White fell asleep and his mother ran for the front door. He woke up and grabbed her, the spokeswoman said, "but she was able to break away and get out the door."

West ran to a pay phone and called police. Heavily armed tactical officers then surrounded the rowhouse. Officers armed with rifles used firetruck ladders to climb onto rooftops, and a police negotiator briefly talked with White.

Cook-Hayes said police searched the home and found ammunition but no gun.

Pub Date: 6/29/99